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Raymond J. Evanoski, age 69 of New Castle, passed away into the arms of his Heavenly Father on the night of December 18, 2020, at Shenango on the Green. After a 15-year battle with brain cancer and all of its subsequent complications, Ray ultimately succumbed to the COVID virus. Born November 14, 1951, in New Castle, he was the son of the late Raymond and Florence (Wassell) Evanoski. On April 28, 1973, he married his best friend and beloved wife of 47 years, Susan (Black) Evanoski. They were inseparable. Ray always referred to her as his “saint” because she devoted herself to being his full-time caregiver for the last several years of his life. She survives at home.
After graduating from New Castle High School in 1969, he went on to study at Youngstown State University and then joined the Army Reserves for six years. He worked briefly at Universal Rundle and Flowline before moving on to Rockwell, where he worked for 16 years until the plant’s closure in 1993. Following the closure of Rockwell, he accepted a position with Parker Hannifin, where he retired in 2010.
Everyone who had the privilege of knowing Ray knew him to be a kind, gentle soul with an abundantly generous and grateful heart. Despite the many health challenges that he faced, he approached life with a great sense of humor and maintained his easy-going nature. It was his unwavering and deep faith in God that helped him to prevail each and every day with a positive attitude. Even in his limited physical capacity, he was determined to be a source of inspiration, support, and wisdom for his family and friends, and for all those whom he met through his journey of life. Above all else, his love for his family was beyond measure, and it is without a doubt that love for his family that drove him to remain alive for as long as he did.
Ray was an avid sports fan. He especially enjoyed going to the New Castle Red Hurricane basketball games and watching the Pittsburgh Steelers. One of his greatest passions was classic cars. He loved going to car shows and collecting Corvettes and GTOs over the years. It also brought him great joy to take care of his big yard and spend time in his garage, working on his collector cars with his grandson, Bailey, by his side.
The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Dr. Paras and her staff; Dr. Drappatz and the staff at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center; and to all the nurses and support staff at Shenango on the Green for their excellent care and compassion.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his three children, Tricia Evanoski of New Castle, Kristen Gardner of New Castle, and Kelly (Thomas) Townley of Poland, OH, and his two grandchildren, Bailey Gardner and Thomas Townley. He is also survived by his siblings, Donald (Sharon) Evanoski of Pittsburgh, Deborah (Gary) Stephens of Camarillo, CA, William Evanoski of Butler, Daniel (Tracy) Evanoski of New Castle, Marylou (Richard) Heath of Camarillo, CA, Susan (Joseph) Rigotti of New Castle, and Kenneth Evanoski of Butler as well as several nieces and nephews.
Along with his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in law, Jack and Elizabeth Black.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Dec. 29, at Holy Spirit Parish’s Mary Mother of Hope Church, with Father Brendan Dawson officiating. All visitors are asked to adhere to the CDC’s guidelines regarding wearing face masks and social distancing. A rite of committal and burial will be in S.S. Phillip and James Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to the R. Cunningham Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 2429 Wilmington Road.
Lord God, you are attentive to the voice of our pleading. Give Raymond eternal rest, O Lord, and may your light shine on him forever. Let us find in your Son comfort in our sadness, certainty in our doubt, and courage to live through this hour. Make our faith strong through Christ our Lord. Amen.