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He turned discarded cans into life of good health, charity

By MARY JANE PARK
Published January 28, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - For more than 15 years, Glenn M. Banker picked up empty cans in West Virginia, New York and Florida.

The walking he did along littered roads and highways was good for his health, and he gave the recycling money he earned to charity.

Mr. Banker, who was 91, died Jan. 2 at Edward White Hospital after suffering several heart attacks, said his son, Rick Banker, who lives in Spring Hill.

Mr. Banker bought wheelchairs for people who needed them. He gave to the United Way and the Sunshine Center. He wrote a check for $1,000 to the Hospice of the Florida Suncoast last year.

"We were touched by this donation and deeply appreciated his generous support and his efforts and all the work and planning that went into it," said B.A. Safley, Hospice's director of philanthropy.

Over the past decade or so, Mr. Banker spent his summers in Victor, N.Y., with his daughter Phyllis Stewart and her husband, Lewis. Over time, he contributed $13,176 in recycling money to their church, First Presbyterian.

Mr. Banker had two other daughters, Michelle Dermody of Churchville, N.Y., and Sandra Spitler of Baldwinsville, N.Y.

Rick Banker said his father's recent hospitalization was only the second of his long life.

"There wasn't much stopping him," Rick Banker said. "He was perpetual motion."

Until last year, Mr. Banker's winter residence was in the Sanderwood Village Mobile Home Park on 13th Avenue. That property was sold, and he bought a new place in Conner's Mobile Home Park on 34th Street N.

A memorial service for Mr. Banker will be at First Presbyterian Church in New York on Saturday.

[Last modified January 27, 2007, 18:43:49]