by Joseph H. RADDER
Vince Evans is an enthusiastic Western New Yorker, but he’s also passionate about
Pennsylvania. Born in Wilkes Barre in 1949, he grew up in Plymouth. In school he played
sports including Little League baseball and basketball. He loves the New York Yankees, the
Bills and the Sabres too.
When it comes to participation sports, he’s passionate about golf. However, he has
yet to match the crowning golf achievement by his wife Patrice, a hole-in-one on August 1,
2001. Their love of golf is played out at Myrtle Beach as well as at local courses from
May through October. They look forward to a special round at Pebble Beach later this year.
Vince was born in 1949, the firstborn child of Vincent Raymond and Frances Evans. His Dad
traveled a lot in his work so Vince, his brother Blayne, and sisters Michelle and Rene
grew up in what was essentially a single parent family much of the time. When Vince’s
dad was home, however, there was a lot of laughter in the Evans household. Friends and
neighbors called Vince Sr. and Frances “Desi and Lucy”.
Vince’s brother and two sisters are much younger, so he spent his early years as an
only child. He went to St. Vincent’s Elementary and High School in Plymouth and then
on to King’s College in Wilkes Barre where he majored in social work. He achieved a
Master’s degree in social work later at the State University of New York at Buffalo,
where he also took a number of business courses.
Vince has two children—Jeff, who is now age 24 and a musician, and Megan, now 15,
and a student at Mount St.Mary’s High School.
A musician himself, Vince plays the guitar and sings and has written a number of original
songs for family weddings and special events.
Vince met Patrice when they worked together at Buffalo Hospice. They were married in 1998.
“Vince is not only a wonderful father, but also a wonderful stepfather to my three
children, Jennifer, 27, Michael, 25 and Kathy, 22,” Patrice proudly adds.
Vince spent many years as a social worker and then moved to the administrative side of the
health profession, first at the Visiting Nurses Association, then at Professional Care
(later Norell), then at Mercy Home Care and Hospice.
His writing and people skills qualified him for Public Relations positions along the way.
And he is now Director of Corporate Communications for Willcare.
You know about his writing skill if you are a reader of Living Prime Time. Vince is a
regular contributor. His most recent feature article in Living Prime Time was the
biographical sketch of hockey’s famous Scotty Bowman and the Bowman family.
“Vince has always been very creative,” his wife, Patrice, says and he has always
enjoyed the writing side of his work most of all.
Public speaking is an important part of his work for Willcare and he frequently puts on
presentations within the many branches of Willcare from Cleveland to the Hudson Valley.
One time, when he was with Hospice, he went to Hungary to make a presentation.
As president of the local chapter of New York State Health Care Providers for this year
Vince continues to support excellence in home health care.
In addition Vince is also on the boards of Musical Fare Theater, the Sheehan Memorial
Hospital Foundation, the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame and Coordinated Care.
His skill with words extends into his personal life as well. Patrice remembers the eulogy
he wrote and delivered at his father’s funeral as “one of the most moving things
I have ever heard.” That day was an especially difficult one for Vince for it was
also his birthday.
Patrice’s love for her husband is impossible to conceal. “He is one of the most
ethical people I have ever known,” she said. “And he is such a hard worker.
Vince’s leadership sets an example for all who know him. It’s no wonder so many
people admire and respect him.”
“Give 100% of yourself 100% of the time,” is Vince Evans’ philosophy of
life. His life of selfless activity is strong testimony to that creed.
One quality that we haven’t mentioned is Vince Evans’ modesty. We knew he
wouldn’t submit to an interview for this article, so we turned to his wife.
“He’s going to kill me when he reads this,” Patrice said.
Joseph Radder is a freelance writer.