Dr. Alan D. Banack died peacefully, at Kensington Gardens after a long illness. Beloved husband of Jeannine Girard-Pearlman; father of Jon (Gail), Sam and Lindsay (Dom); and stepfather to Joel Pearlman (Efrat) and Michelle Foy (Jason). "Papa" to Rachel, Ethan, Aaron and Smith; and "special Alan" to Gabe, Lia, Ella and Aubrey. Alan practiced medicine for over 50 years. In his early career as a family physician practicing emergency medicine, he was a superb diagnostician. However, for most of his career, Alan dedicated his life to the practice of Psychotherapy, empowering thousands of individuals to take control of their emotions and live a more joyful life.
In his career, he was an early adopter of ground-breaking coaching techniques in the field of hypnotherapy, meditation and mindfulness. As early as 1978, he travelled on a lecture tour to the Northwest Territories, where medical resources were scarce, to talk about hypnotherapy as an aid in childbirth. Many of his successful coaching methods, such as mind quieting, evolved from his experience with sports psychology and the mental training of high-performance athletes.
Alongside his reputation as an outstanding physician, there is a generation of Camp Walden campers with warm memories of Dr. Banack, the friendly and caring camp doctor who treated bee stings and eye infections and helped them get out of swimming. He was a sailor who co-owned different sailboats which he raced in Lake Ontario. He was well suited for cottage life at Oxtongue Lake, which he enjoyed until recently.
Gatherings of family and friends at the cottage brought him the most joy. And golf games were a regular and essential activity, not just for the game itself, but for the beauty and re-energizing notion of "a walk in the park." Wherever he was, jazz was playing in the background. Jazz cruises were especially enjoyed, and travel was an essential part of his life. He always spoke of "Tarzaning." In the same way that Tarzan held on to a branch with one hand until his other hand firmly grasped the next branch, he applied that philosophy to travel and life. Always have another trip planned before the trip you are enjoying finishes. This philosophy resulted in numerous biking trips with friends in Canada, France and Spain, and other trips with friends and family in Canada, the United States, Asia, Europe, and South America.
He contributed to his community in many ways, including as a former President of the Make-a Wish Foundation. Alan was a truly wonderful human being. He was smart, kind, generous, thoughtful, and funny.
If you were his friend, you were his friend for life. If you were his family, there would be no limit to his love for you.
The family would like to thank the staff at Kensington Gardens for the outstanding care and caring they provided.
Should you wish to make a donation to remember Alan, please consider the Kensington Foundation (416-964-3636 or https://bit.ly/46hCrsS).