WATERBURY — Thomas Francis Evans, 70, passed away on April 15, 2023, at his home in Waterbury.
He was born in Waterbury on July 16, 1952, to parents Francis “Frank” and Zita (Wojtczak) Evanoski. Raised in Naugatuck, Tom graduated St. Hedwig’s School, Naugatuck High School and earned his B.A. in philosophy from Southern Connecticut State University.
True to his major, Tom had a broad range of interests in which he developed considerable expertise. He was an engineer, a builder, a woodworker and a sculptor, but his first and lifelong love was music. He was a musician, a composer, a luthier and a maker of Native American flutes.
Tom’s long career in audio and broadcast engineering included 24 years at ESPN. As chief engineer, he received widespread recognition for the design and construction of ESPN Radio’s new studio facilities in Bristol.
He retired from ESPN in 2019 as a senior systems engineer.
Tom enjoyed fly-fishing, especially along the Farmington River near the Connecticut/Massachusetts border. He was an automotive enthusiast and a fan of F1 and INDY car racing.
He loved learning and was extremely well-read on wide range of topics, including Native American culture and the American Civil War. He was also at home in the kitchen where pizza and chicken soup were his specialties.
Tom is survived by Holly (Van Vlandren), his beloved wife of 50 years; his sister Theresa Terry of Naugatuck; his niece Michelle Krutz (husband Joe) of Cheshire; several grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins and his Airedale terrier, Leeloo.
Tom will be remembered most for his creative ingenuity and his kind and generous nature.
While we mourn his passing, his spirit will always be in our hearts.
Tom’s life was to be celebrated at a private memorial.
In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to the Yale New Haven Health Smilow Cancer Hospital or the Harold Leever Regional Cancer Center in Tom’s memory.
