Evan François Sr. died on April 18 in Boca Raton, Florida, after a long and difficult illness. Evan was born in 1924 on St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, and graduated from Charlotte Amalie High School. After attending college in Puerto Rico, he worked for a short time with Pan American Airlines. He later went into business with Ben Bayne and Flavio Cumpiano, helping to open and manage the gift shop Bolero on Main Street in Charlotte Amalie. He later became an independent insurance agent, starting the firm of Bradley & François.
Evan was appointed Commissioner of Conservation and Cultural Affairs by Governor Melvin H. Evans and subsequently to the board of the V.I. Port Authority by Governor Cyril E. King. He was president of the local Chamber of Commerce for a time, as well as a member of the Rotary Club of St. Thomas. Evan also served as the Republican National Committeeman from the Virgin Islands for many years. Along with long-time friends Herbert Lockhart Jr., Leo Sibilly, John Woods, Freddie and Gerald Nicholson, Alton Adams and Alpheus Rogers (among others), he was an original founding member of the Ramblers Club.
He is survived by his wife, Evy; son, Evan Jr. (Van); sisters: Gloria François McGowan and Linda François Sheviski; and nieces: Carol Sheviski and Therese Sheviski Bourne-Vanneck.
The family is very grateful for the moral support they have received from Richard and Marion Miller, as well as from Evan’s goddaughter, Catherine Lockhart Mills, during these difficult months.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in Evan’s memory to:
Hospice By The Sea
1531 W. Palmetto Park Road
Boca Raton, FL 33486-3395
He is survived by his wife, Evy; son, Evan Jr. (Van); sisters: Gloria François McGowan and Linda François Sheviski; and nieces: Carol Sheviski and Therese Sheviski Bourne-Vanneck.
The family is very grateful for the moral support they have received from Richard and Marion Miller, as well as from Evan’s goddaughter, Catherine Lockhart Mills, during these difficult months.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in Evan’s memory to:
Hospice By The Sea
1531 W. Palmetto Park Road
Boca Raton, FL 33486-3395