James F. “Skinny” Evans, 81, of Shelton, peacefully entered into eternal rest on May 12, 2011, at CT Hospice in Branford. He was the beloved husband of Frances Fosella Evans.
Mr. Evans was born in New Rochelle, NY on Feb. 2, 1930, son of the late Patrick and Madeline Murray Evans. A resident of Shelton for 10 years, he previously resided in Ansonia. Mr. Evans was employed for 18 years as a Youth Outreach Counselor for the City of Shelton’s Youth Services Bureau. In that position, he helped and touched many young men and women’s lives by being the “greatest” advisor for the Youth to Youth Peer Advocate Group. He was also a case manager for the Juvenile Review Board and a counselor for the Elder Response Team. Prior, he was a methods engineer at Bridgeport Fittings. A proud veteran, he honorably served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict. Skinny was a 52 year member of the Hilltop Hose Co. #5 in Ansonia where he served as Past Captain and was the first recipient of the Bob Barry Award. He was a social member of the Webster Hose Co. # 3 in Ansonia, a charter member of the CT State Fire Police, a member of the Ansonia Fire Police, the American Legion in Shelton, and the Senior Housing Board in Shelton. Skinny loved life, traveling, and especially helping others. No person was ever a stranger to him. His favorite saying and mindset was “think positive.”
In addition to his wife, he is survived by 3 sons, Michael Evans, James G. Evans, and Patrick Evans of Ansonia, 2 daughters, Michele Walsh and her husband Donald of Bethany and Colleen Thomas and her husband Keith of Naugatuck, 2 adopted daughters, Silvia Rodriguez and her husband Michael of Shelton and Chris Steinhauer and her husband Frank of East Haven, 2 sisters, Thelma Boyd and her husband Edward of York, PA and Patricia Govorko and her husband Nick of Dover, DE, 10 grandchildren, 1 great-grandson, a friend of Bill W., and several other friends, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother George Evans.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral on Monday May 16, 2011, at 9:30 am (PLEASE MEET DIRECTLY) at the Church of the Assumption, 61 N. Cliff Street in Ansonia, for a Mass of Christian Burial. Following Mass, the cortège will process to Hilltop Hose Co., where a Fire Fighter’s tribute will take place and U.S. Air Force military honors will be accorded. Visiting hours will be held on Sunday from 3 – 7 pm in the chapel of the SPINELLI-RICCIUTI/BEDNAR-OSIECKI FUNERAL HOME, 62 Beaver Street in Ansonia. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hilltop Hose Co. for maintenance and restoration of their old Mack fire truck and barn, which was dedicated to Skinny. To send an online condolence, please visit http://www.spinellifuneralhome.com.
