Robert J. Banar

Robert J. Banar, 94, of Akron, passed away May 10, 2010 at his residence.

He was born August 31, 1915 to the late Robert and Agnes (Stefanick) Banar. He leaves his wife, Emily, a former Lieutenant in the United States Army, to whom he was happily married for over 60 years. He was an employee of Goodyear Tire & Rubber and then Goodyear Aerospace from 1942-1980. He worked on the Corsair Fighter Plane and the flotation device for Apollo Space Capsules. Robert also helped in the development of Run Flat tires and worked on the heated windshield for Boeing 747's. He was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church for over 50 years where he was a Eucharistic Minister; president of the Holy Name Society; sang in the choir; and worked with the St. Vincent DePaul Society. Robert was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. He also coached CYO baseball. As a teen, he played semi-pro baseball in Beaver Falls, Pa. Robert was also an avid Cleveland Indians fan.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Agnes Hornacek and Millie Mounier and brother, Frank Banar. Along with his wife, he is survived by his daughters, Peggy (John) Banarhall of Auburn, Mass., Elaine Banar of Darien, Conn., Kathleen Banar of Arlington, Va., and Mariane (Rob) Fountain of Woodbridge, Conn.; sons, Robert Jr. of Danbury, Conn., and Jim (Mary) of Newtown, Pa.; grandchildren, Nicholas, Justin, Jocelyn, Rachel, Christopher, Anna, Kirill, John Jacob and Michael; great-grandchildren, Meredith and Madyson.

Calling hours will be Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Newcomer Funeral Home, 131 N. Canton Rd., Akron, where prayers will be said Friday at 10:30 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Matthew Church beginning at 11 a.m., with Fr. Michael Williamson presiding. Intement will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.