Obituary of John A. Evan

John A. Evan, age 76, a long-time resident of both Southbury and Torrington, peacefully passed away at home on November 2, 2023 after a three-year battle with ALS in the presence of his loving family. He was the husband of Dolores/Dee (Pagliuco) Evan and the father of Jennifer Evan.

Born in Bridgeport, CT on February 5, 1947, John was the third son of the late Louis and Mary (Kump) Evan. A graduate of St. Anthony's Parochial School in Fairfield and Staples High School in Westport, he went on to proudly serve in the U.S. Navy from 1966-1970. During this time, John completed two tours of duty; one during Vietnam aboard the destroyer, USS Cony (DD 508) as a machinist mate 3rd class and one in the Middle East aboard the destroyer, USS Stickell (DD 888) as a machinist mate 2nd class. He earned the distinguished title of a "shellback" when he crossed the equator on the USS Stickell on July 11, 1968. When his service years concluded, John went on to work in both the bakery and shipping departments of Pepperidge Farm, Inc. before becoming a tractor trailer driver for the company in 1976. He retired in 2009.

John made friends with practically everyone he met and those friendships carried over into many of the hobbies and pastimes he enjoyed. He was a great hunter and fisherman spending many hours in the woods and on the water with his late brother, Rich, and his dear friend, Ernie Nardi. John especially enjoyed bass fishing on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire with his best friend Stevie Kovach. An avid bowler, John earned many bowling accolades including several 279 and 300 games and topped off his career by attending the Open Championships in Las Vegas in 2019. Following the adage that you are never too old to learn something new, John took up golf following his retirement and attributed his greatest golfing accomplishment, a hole in one at Green Woods Country Club, Winsted, CT at the age of 66, to his three favorite golfing partners…Lew "the animal" Patchett, Jim Gardner, and Steve Grigos.

John will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 49 years, Dolores/Dee (Pagliuco) Evan of Torrington, CT, and his daughter, Jennifer Evan of Seymour, CT. He is survived by his older brother, Louis Evan and Sister-in-Law, Tina, of Trumbull, CT, and nephews Paul and Michael Evan and will be sadly missed by his Sister-in-Law, Suzanne Evan, of Raleigh, NC, his niece, Michele, and her husband, Tim Dillistin, of Sterling, VA, his nephew, Mark Evan and his wife, MJ, of Raleigh, NC, as well as many, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and friends. In addition to his parents, John was also predeceased by his older brother, Richard S. Evan.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to John's team of ALS specialists at the VA in West Haven for the wonderful support they provided to him during the duration of his care. In addition, the family would like to give special thanks to James Sohl, John's personal aide since the fall of 2022 as well as the Hartford Healthcare Hospice nurses and staff for their support during his final days.

Calling hours will take place on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 from 8:00 to 9:30 am at the Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull, CT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am in Holy Family Church, 700 Old Stratfield Road, Fairfield, CT. Entombment with full military honors will follow in the Pilgrimage Mausoleum of Mountain Grove Cemetery, 2675 North Avenue, Bridgeport, CT. For online condolences, please visit us at www.abriola.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in John's name to the ALS Connecticut Chapter, 4 Oxford Road, Suite E4, Milford, CT, 06460, https://alsact.org/ or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 50, Memphis TN 38101-9929, www.stjude.org.