Nicholas Banda

BANDA-Nicholas, 81, of Johnstown, PA, entered into the arms of our Lord and Savior on August 8, 2025, at Arbutus Park Retirement Community. He was born on August 30, 1943, in Johnstown, PA, to Andrew and Mildred Banda-Perich (Devich). Preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 52 years, Martha (Rybar) and daughter Mary Janak, his brothers George and Michael Perich Jr., his sisters Betty (Perich) Burgoyne, Patricia (Perich) Guy, and Violet (Banda) Reilly, and his nephews David Guy and Gregory Guy, Sr. He was survived by his brother William Perich and sister-in-law Jeanette (Orr), cousin Marion Taylor, and daughers by marriage, Judith Rees and Ann Rees Rozi and all of their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was also dearly loved by his numerous multigenerational nieces, nephews, and cousins. Nick was a 1961 graduate of Greater Johnstown High School who enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1961. Upon his discharge in 1965, he began working for the Bethlehem Steel Corporation at the Wire Mill in the Bethanizer unit and later in Franklin Borough at the 21-inch mill on the hot beds. In 1969, he was hired as a police officer for the City of Johnstown, where he served until 1978. While he was a police officer, he earned a Bachelor’s degree with Honors from the University of Pittsburgh, and later he resigned from the police force to pursue a law degree at the Duquesne University School of Law. He practiced law in Cambria County from 1982 until he retired in 2013. Nick served for 12 years as a public defender in Cambria County.  For many years, he attended St. Benedict’s church with his wife, Martha. During that time, he served as a volunteer impacting countless lives in the Kairos Prison Ministry. He was also a lifetime member of St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church in Johnstown, PA, which was his final place of worship. While at St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church, he served on the Diocesan Council, Solicitor,  and was instrumental in the efforts of improving opportunities at St. Sava Shadeland Camp in Northwestern, PA. The family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Arbutus Park Manor, and Asera Hospice Care for their outstanding support and care of Nick in his final weeks. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the building fund at St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church in Johnstown, PA. Funeral Liturgy will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday August 15, 2025, at St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church, Rev. Presbyter Dragan Vukovic. Committal will follow at St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Cemetery. Military honors will be presented by the Conemaugh Valley Detachment 287 Marine Corps League Ritual Team.

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