Obituary from Harding Funeral Home

Joseph Banyard, Jr., 94, of Westport, CT passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 20, 2021. Joe was born at Norwalk Hospital in Norwalk, CT on June 8, 1926 to Joseph and Anna Banyard. He grew up attending local schools and graduated from Norwalk High School in 1944.

After graduation Joe enlisted in The Army Air Corp. He was being trained as an airplane and engine mechanic and was in a program to become a flight engineer. The war ended, as did the program. He completed his service in Italy as a guard in The Army of Occupation.

After his service he attended The University of Bridgeport, graduating in 1951 with a BS degree in accounting. He worked in public accounting at firms in the Norwalk/Bridgeport area for 12 years until passing the examination to become a CPA. He took a job with Navy Audit which was later reorganized as the Defense Contract Audit Agency. He was now a federal employee and soon later became a Cost Analyst for the federal government which he did for 23 years. He spent a large portion of his career working at Sikorsky. He retired on September 20, 1986.

Joe was married to Elenore DePalmer on September 12, 1953. They later divorced but remained close friends throughout his entire life. Elenore still lives in the house they built together while they were married. Joe is also survived by a sister, Ann Marie Newbauer (Henry) of Waterbury, CT, a nephew Thomas Newbauer of Danbury, CT and 4 nieces, Janet Peatt (Woodrow, Sr) of Ridgefield, CT, Lee Berryhill and Leslie and Joanne Aiken as well as his great nephew Captain Woodrow J. Peatt, Jr., USAF, stationed in GA. He is predeceased by his parents, his sister Norma Aiken (Frank) and nephew Michael Aiken.
Joe will be remembered by his niece as a great listener, story teller and poetry reciter by memory. He was a member of St. Luke’s Parish in Westport, CT for 30 years, a devoted Roman Catholic who often attended mass daily. During his lifetime he was an avid MG mechanic and learned how to repair them and keep them running. He also enjoyed gardening, cooking, and reading about history.

Friends are invited to attend a funeral on Thursday May 27, 2021 at 2:00 PM meeting directly at St. Luke Church 49 Turkey Hill Road North, Westport, CT. The Harding Funeral Home in Westport CT is assisting the family with the arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left on line at www.hardingfuneral.com