John H. Evans age 81 years, husband of Judith (Carroll) Evans, died Saturday morning, October 24, 2015 at the E.N. Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital Hospice Unit in Bedford.
Born to Howard and Helen (Wardowski) Evans in Salem, John graduated from Salem schools, where he was captain of the high school track team. After graduation he attended Boston University School of Music for two years before joining the US Navy, playing in the Naval Band on the USS New Jersey and at the Boston Naval Yard. Upon leaving the Navy he returned to Boston University, where he earned both his Bachelors and Masters Degree in Music Education. While there, he was drum major for the marching band and president of the graduating music class. After teaching music in Medford and Brookline, John became a music teacher and band director for Peabody High School. A few years later he was appointed Music Administrator for the Peabody School System. Under his tutelage, the band grew from twenty-two students to a successful and well-respected group of young musicians, many of whom later pursued professional careers in music, attributing their success to John's influence.

While continuing his career in education, John also maintained a career as a professional musician as a founding member of the Boston Brass Ensemble and substitute performer for Arthur Feidler. He was also a member of the Portland Symphony Orchestra, The Cape Ann Symphony Orchestra, Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra of Milford, and the Salem Philharmonics, with which he had been associated since he was in grammar school. He played in and around the Greater Boston area with groups including The North Shore Summer Band, Claflin Hill Summer Winds, The Cape Ann Jazz Band, The North Shore Jazz Band, Dane Street Band of Beverly and many others. He travelled New England during the Octoberfest season with his Bavarian Hofbrau Band, which still continues to entertain.

In addition to his commitment to music, John enjoyed a lifelong devotion to the outdoors, spending his free time hiking and skiing with his family in the mountains of Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire, where he also played in several bands. He was a man of many interests, talents, and intellectual pursuits, a modern-day Renaissance man, who will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

John was predeceased by his first wife Carolyn (Doherty) and grandson Mark Evans. He leaves his wife Judith (Carroll) of Beverly, and three children and their spouses: Steven and Lucia Evans of Salem; David and Cynthia Evans of Lebanon, Ohio; and Ruth and Richard Jackson of Stoneham. He also leaves grandchildren Janine Liberty and husband, Sam; Natasha, Leah, and Molly Evans; and Thomas and Matthew Jackson, as well as one great-grandson, Finn Liberty, who brought John great joy during his last year. In addition he leaves his brother Robert and Andrea Evans of Haverhill, and Elizabeth and Santo Farina of The Villages, Florida.

His funeral will be held from the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal St., (cor of North St) Salem on Wednesday October 28, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Margaret Church, 672 Hale St., Beverly Farms at 11:00 a.m. Visiting hours at the Funeral Home on Tuesday from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Salem Philharmonics, c/o John Koza, 449 Elliot Street, Beverly, MA 01915 or to the Bedford Veterans Hospital Hospice Unit, 200 Spring St., Bedford, MA 01730. For additional information or on line guest book please call 978 744 0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.