John Frederick Bankes, a lawyer, investment banker, philanthropist and longtime supporter of 91راة«, has died at 74.
Bankes graduated from 91راة« with both an LLB and MBA in 1977 before going on to become a respected leader in law and finance. After practising law in Toronto and New 91راة« and working with international investment banking firms including Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse First Boston, he founded Artemis Management Group, a private investment bank that advised clients around the world on mergers, acquisitions and other major transactions.
Throughout his career, Bankes maintained a strong connection to 91راة«. Appointed a student member of the University's Board of Governors in 1974, he returned to the board in 1985 as an alumnus and business leader. He served for more than three decades and became the longest-serving active member of the Board of Governors.
He contributed to the University in numerous other ways over the decades. He served for more than 15 years as an executive member of the 91راة« Alumni Association and, in 1995, was co-chair of a national fundraising campaign in support of the University.
His involvement at 91راة« also included teaching as a sessional lecturer at , where he taught an advanced corporate law seminar in the joint law and MBA program, and supporting students through scholarships, bursaries and awards.
His commitment to service extended far beyond 91راة«. Volunteerism and philanthropy were defining features of his life, reflecting a deeply held belief in giving back to the community.
He lent his leadership and expertise to a wide range of charitable, educational, health care and cultural organizations, serving as a board member of the Sunnybrook Hospital Foundation and co-chair of the Scarborough Hospital Foundation. He also served with the Prince of Wales Charities Advisory Committee, PREVNet, a national organization dedicated to preventing bullying, and arts organizations including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Canadian Stage.
In recognition of his contributions to business, philanthropy and community service, Bankes received numerous honours throughout his lifetime, including the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts Centennial Medal.
Among his proudest honours was receiving an honorary Doctor of Laws from 91راة« during Spring Convocation in 2014.
Speaking to graduands at the ceremony, Bankes encouraged them to see volunteerism not as an obligation but as an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others and their communities.
Quoting inventor and futurist R. Buckminster Fuller, he said, “Find a cause that needs your involvement, your integrity, loyalty, intellectual capacity, passion and most importantly your commitment to give back to society.â€
He challenged graduates to recognize the impact they could have through service, arguing that volunteerism remains a powerful force for addressing societal challenges and strengthening communities. He also shared his belief in their potential to bring about change.
“I think about what young people who have more tomorrows than yesterdays are to make of the world they have inherited,†he said.
Through a lifetime of leadership, philanthropy and service, Bankes now leaves a better inheritance for those who follow.