Victoria Lynn Banister
OBITUARY
Victoria Lynn Banister, President of 1st Performance Marina in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, passed away peacefully on June 8, 2026, following a courageous battle with FTD Dementia. She was 72 years old.
Born in 1954 in Santa Ana, California, Victoria was the only child of Richard and Peggy Holman. From an early age, she displayed the determination, kindness, and positive outlook that would become the hallmarks of her life. She pursued her education in business management and accounting, building the foundation for a successful career as both a business leader and entrepreneur.
In June 1988, Victoria purchased Bill’s Sunrise Marina, a multi-location Jet Ski rental operation in South Florida, and renamed it 1st Performance Marina. Over the next 38 years, she and her husband, Bob Banister, transformed the company into one of Fort Lauderdale’s most respected marine service facilities, specializing in multi-engine center consoles and motoryachts up to 60 feet in length.
While Victoria took great pride in building a successful business, her greatest achievement was the culture she created. She treated employees like family, genuinely cared about her customers, and believed that people always came before profits. Her leadership was reflected in the loyalty of those around her, with many employees remaining with the company for ten, twenty, and even thirty years. Customers knew they could count on her honesty, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to doing what was right.
Victoria possessed a wonderful smile, a quick wit, and a warm, welcoming spirit that made everyone feel comfortable in her presence. She approached life with optimism and grace, finding joy in both everyday moments and new adventures. She was loving, kind, generous, and deeply devoted to her family and friends. Those who knew her will remember her positive attitude, her ability to brighten a room, and her genuine interest in the well-being of others.
Outside of work, Victoria enjoyed traveling, gardening, pets, and pursuing her passion for jewelry design. She and Bob shared a special love for the Thousand Islands region along the New York–Canadian border. After many years of visiting the area, they purchased an island home in 1998, where they enjoyed boating, entertaining friends, and becoming active members of the antique boating community.
A devoted member of the Antique & Classic Boat Society and a generous supporter of the Antique Boat Museum, Victoria and Bob proudly displayed their classic and antique boats at shows throughout the United States. These gatherings reflected her appreciation for craftsmanship, history, and the friendships that boating creates.
Victoria was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Peggy Holman.
She is survived by her beloved husband and partner in life, Bob Banister, along with countless friends, employees, customers, and members of the boating community whose lives were enriched by her kindness, encouragement, and friendship.
A private burial service will be held on June 18, 2026. A Celebration of Life will be held later this summer in the Thousand Islands, where family and friends will gather to honor a remarkable woman whose generosity, warmth, and positive spirit touched so many lives.
Victoria’s legacy is not simply the business she built, but the people she cared for, the friendships she nurtured, and the countless lives she made better through her kindness, integrity, and love. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.