THOMAS W. EVANS, age 74, a longtime Tewksbury resident, passed away on August 11 after a brief illness.
Born in Everett on May 21, 1949, he was the beloved son of the late Thomas W. Evans Sr. and the late Yolanda Fahey and stepson of the late Thomas Fahey. Tom was raised in Arlington and attended local schools.
Tom proudly served in the United States Army with the 101st Airborne Division “Screaming Eagles” and courageously defended his country while serving in Vietnam from 1967-1968, specifically in the areas of An Khê and Pleiku. He was honorably discharged in 1973, and received the National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Vietnam Campaign Medal; and Expert Rifle Medal. Over the years Tom did not speak much about his time in service but his family always was, and continues to be, extremely proud of his sacrifices for our country.
Prior to his retirement in 2010, Tom was a proud member of Local 4 IUOE, International Union of Operating Engineers. During his many years in the Union, Tom was a valued member who could operate just about any piece of equipment presented to him. He also worked in some extreme conditions, going from sky-high on tower cranes to underwater in the Big Dig’s Outfall Tunnel and was widely regarded as one of the Union’s most respected operators.
Tom found joy in many things, from motorcycles to Patriots Football and his beloved Corvettes, but the main loves of his life were his family.
He leaves, and will be forever missed by, Barbara - his loving wife of 44 years (48 if you count the dating years, and they did!). He was the most beloved father of his ‘Little Girl”, daughter Jennifer Evans and his “Buddy”, son Adam Evans of Tewksbury and his late son Sean Evans. He was a loving brother to his sister Lorraine Guest and her husband David of Walnut Creek, CA; his sister Arlene King and her husband William of Woburn; and his sister Kathleen Fahey of Arlington. Tom also leaves and will be remembered by his many cousins, nieces and nephews and his best friend of 60 years, David Anderson of Palm Coast, FLA.
In addition to his parents, Tom was also predeceased by his loving niece Shannon Meara.
Among so many other things, Tom will always be remembered by all who knew him for his twinkling eyes and huge, loving heart. He was a truly unique, original man and will be missed forever.
None better and damn few as good.
Family and friends will be received on Friday, August 25, from 4-8pm at the Farmer and Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee Street, Tewksbury. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home on Saturday, August 26, at 10 am, followed by graveside military honors at Tewksbury Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom’s name may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital either online at https://www.stjude.org/donate; by phone at (800) 822-6344; or by mail to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105