By:Liz McBreen
On June 11, a funeral was held for New York City Firefighter Robert Evans at St. Catherine of Sienna Roman Catholic Church in Franklin Square. Thirty-six-year-old Evans was based at Engine 33 in Greenwich Village, and he died in the line of duty on Sept. 11.
During his homily, Father Thomas Groenewold encouraged Evans' family, friends and co-workers to pray for the fallen hero, and all New York City Firefighters. He also described Evans as a gentle, generous, helpful man who was always ready to do the right thing. "It is important to celebrate all that Bobby was during his life. He was snatched away at a young age, but he had followed his calling to help other people, and now his Master has called him home," said Groenewold.
A jack of all trades, Evans had worked as a cook, air conditioning/heating repair man and vacuum supplies salesman before finding his calling as a firefighter.
Co-workers enjoyed his sense of humor and often called Evans "Jerry Lewis" because his mannerisms reminded them of the comedian. In spite of good sense of humor, his captain, Robert McLoughlin, said he was very serious about his work. "He was about as professional as we could get on the job today."
Family members recalled his love of sports, especially boxing. "He was always trying to prove his manhood," said stepfather Starling Serafin. Such displays of machismo included his climbing of the Franklin Square Water Tower and his participation in the Golden Gloves boxing competition.
During a memorial for Evans, held in late November, Mayor Giuliani said to the Evans family, "He didn't emerge by accident as a firefighter. All the lessons you taught him made him what he was. You should take pride in being the relative of an American hero."
