Charles Thomas Evans was born January 2, 1930 in Trenton, N.J., the son of Margaret Coley and Charles Evans. To avoid confusion, the younger Mr. Evans came to be known as Tom.
For most, growing up during the Great Depression was a soul-crushing prospect but Tom (along with his sister Lorraine) was fortunate to have a father who could provide. Pop-Pop, as his grandchildren would later call him, was a pharmacist. When he wasn’t in school Tom, spent much time with his father at Steinel Pharmacy on Hamilton Avenue, helping out however he could. He would restock the candy shelves or sweep the dust off the creaky wooden floor as Charles, behind the counter in his white lab coat, used a mortar and pestle to formulate his customers’ healing potions.
The spark of Tom’s lifelong interest in learning was ignited by his Jesuit teachers at Trenton Catholic High School. There he also learned a thing or two, he would later recall, about respect, honesty, effort and punctuality. He was not, however, a big fan of wearing a tie in algebra class, although he wisely kept that opinion to himself and he was never, ever late. All of those rock solid personal traits served him well post-graduation when he decided how to fulfill his military service obligation.
Tom Evans was one of the few to choose to enlist in the Marines. He figured “who could possibly be tougher than a Jesuit priest as a math teacher?” Answer: a drill sergeant during basic training at Parris Island, S.C. in 1951.
At the completion of his two-year tour in Korea (“the most miserable place on Earth” according to Tom), Corporal Charles Thomas Evans was honorably discharged from the Marines in August 1953. He collected his $144.38 separation payment, which included a staggering $2.88 travel allowance, and returned home to Trenton. The post-war United States manufacturing juggernaut was in high gear and eagerly welcomed Marine veteran Tom Evans. Progressing through a series of increasingly skilled positions at Circle F Industries, Tom soon rose to supervisor at the electrical switch and components company.
One Saturday evening in 1954, 24-year-old bachelor Tom met a tall, pretty and smartly dressed lady named Margaret (“Marge”) Bojtos at a dance. What fate brought them together at that place, at that time, is unknown. Tom, you see, didn’t dance. Marge loved to. Somehow they put that clash of philosophies behind them, sorted things out, and were married in January 1955.
Tom Evans was proud. As did his father, Tom worked hard for his family. The grease under his fingernails at the end of an extra half-day, Saturday morning shift was as much a sign of pride as it was the result of the faulty switch- stamping machine that he had repaired.
Each year Tom and Marge saved for and relished summer vacations with their children Christine and Tim. Day trips to Seaside Heights, Point Pleasant Beach or the Metedeconk River. Road trips through New England and a magnificent trip to the Grand Canyon.
In retirement Tom and Marge traveled often to visit Christine and Tim at their homes in Maryland, enjoying family and holiday celebrations with Tim’s wife, Robin, their children Brandon, Aaron, Josh and Rachel, Robin’s parents Bob and Carol, sister Kathy and her husband Bill. The younger generations of kids loved spending time with Tom and treasured his insights. He was considered a Grandpa by many -- savoring time with the children by playing cards, reading books, playing trucks and crashing cars while on his hands and knees.
Tom Evans was exceedingly brave when Marge left us in 2009, forging new friendships and developing new interests to keep his keen mind stimulated. He was fortunate to spend the last of his years with his dear friend Betty Crites, who adored his humor and intelligence.
At 80 years and beyond, you could always count on Tom for an informed commentary and well-reasoned opinion on any topic of current discussion. U.S. politics. Football. Baseball. Watergate. Deflategate. Bridgegate. Anygate. He was a voracious reader, affording equal audience to non-fiction, biographies and legal thrillers.
And could Tom Evans ever be funny! Clever. Quick. Insightful. Honestly honest. “Wait, what did you say?” “Repeat that?” Most were always trying to catch up to Tom Evans.
Tom Evans was one of the few, the proud and the brave. He will be missed and his memory always will be cherished by those who knew and loved him.
Semper fi, Tom. Semper fi.
The family will receive visitors from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 16, 2016, at the Anderson and Campbell Funeral Home, 115 Lacey Road, Whiting, N.J., 08759. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by internment with military honors at Holy Assumption Cemetery, 450 Parrish Lane, Florence Township, NJ 08554.
In lieu of flowers, kindly donate in Tom’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.
Arrangements under the direction of Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, Whiting, NJ.
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