Norman ‘Nitney’ Evans, 91, was born a son to the late Athena ‘Lena’ (Barrouk) and Benjamin F. Evans on February 25, 1932 in Wilkes-Barre, PA.
On May 5, 1947, he enlisted as a private in the National Guard of the United States and of the State of Pennsylvania, then Honorably Discharged on June 6, 1947.
Nit graduated from Myers High School, Class of 1950, where he ran track and played left tackle 60 minutes a game at JV and HS for the Mohawks.
He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on October 19, 1950, for three years, serving aboard the USS Salem during Korea before he was stationed at Opa Locka, Florida.
He was Honorably Discharged at the Marine Corps Air Station at Miami, FL on October 5, 1953.
Attended the University of Miami FL on the GI Bill, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in History on February 3rd, 1958.
Taught at the private Miami FL Military Academy from 1958 to 1959. Joined the Miami-Dade public school system in 1959, where he was introduced to his future wife Barbara by a mutual friend and colleague.
Graduated with a Master of Science in Elementary Education from Barry College on July 30th, 1964.
Moved to New Hampshire in the summer of 1965. Began in 1965 as a 6th-grade teacher at Troy Elementary School, then became Title I remedial reading instructor with a Mobile Reading Laboratory for the Monadnock Regional School District due to his previous two years of remedial reading experience in Florida. While still a teacher in 1967, he became Director of the Head Start program for underprivileged children for Cheshire and Sullivan Counties.
Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Administration from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in May 1971. Additionally studied reading at the University of New Hampshire, the University of Rhode Island, and the University of Wisconsin. Served on the Executive Council of the New England Reading Association during the mid-1970s.
Principal of Sullivan, Surry, and Gilsum Elementary Schools for SAU 38/Monadnock Regional School District from 1967 to 1972. Principal of Troy and Emerson (Fitzwilliam) Elementary Schools from 1972 until his retirement in 1994.
Noted for initiating comic book swaps by wearing colorful ties and for magnificent storytelling at school, including funny stories from his childhood.
He always said he loved teaching so much he would do it for free. In retirement, he proved it, returning to do exactly that, substitute teach and give presentations to entranced students and staff on his lifelong historical passion, the Civil War,
Enjoyed visiting historical sites, and hiking in the White Mountains, had a strong intellect (except sometimes when it came to politics, according to a certain unnamed surviving smart-alecky employee then colleague-LOL), and had the ability to laugh at himself,
Socially, he frequently hosted large social gatherings at his home for his faculty members, peer colleagues, and other school district associates who became friends within a sprawling rural school district. Avid book collector.
Mr. Evans is survived by his wife of 65 years, Barbara Evans of Marlborough, their four children, his first-born son, Norman “Buddy” “Norm” E. Lee Evans of Marlborough, Jeb Evans and his wife, Kathleen of Amherst, Jeremy Evans of Swanzey, and Catherine Evans and her husband, Ben Kellner of Keene. He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Christopher Davis, Stephanie Evans, Megan Evans, Sara Evans, and Jeffrey Evans, his five great-grandchildren, Noah Davis, Taylor Davis, Liam Davis, Grayson Evans, Kayden Evans, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. He was preceded in death by his younger sister Joan Haynor.
A graveside service will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 20, 2023, at the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Hwy. Boscawen, NH. 03303. All services are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Chapel and Crematories, 44 Maple Ave. Keene, NH. 03431. www.cheshirefamilyfh.com.
