Dr. Francis (Fran) C. Evans Jr. passed away peacefully on May 14th, 2025, at the age of 86 years.

Fran was born on December 12, 1938, and spent his early years in Staten Island, New York. The eldest child of Elsa (Rogers) Evans and Francis C. Evans Sr., he was a brilliant student who opened many doors for himself, graduating from high school at age 16.

Fran left Staten Island to attend Princeton University, followed by Harvard Medical School, where he discovered his passion for surgery. He earned his M.D. at 24 and completed two years of general surgery residency at Boston City Hospital. Around this time, he met Karen Fox of Lexington, Massachusetts. After marrying, they moved to Hartford, Connecticut, for the final three years of Fran's surgical residency. Upon completion, Fran served in the Vietnam War with the U.S. Army Medical Corps. His time in Vietnam, especially with the 27th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital in Chu Lai, deeply shaped him and accelerated his growth as a surgeon. He was proud to achieve the rank of major, serving one year overseas and another at Patterson Army Hospital in New Jersey.

On discharge from the Army, Fran's career took him to Ticonderoga, New York for five years then to New London, New Hampshire, where he and Karen settled and raised their three children: Susan, Amy, and David. Fran held many significant roles at New London Hospital, including Chief of Surgery from 1978 to 1998. As "Chief", he took pride in tackling complex surgical procedures rarely performed in small community hospitals. He was well known for his calm demeanor and personal concern for his patients.

He was a proud member of the American College of Surgeons and the American Medical Association, serving in many leadership roles over the years. He also received dozens of awards and recognitions for his contributions to the general surgery field.

Fran was predeceased by his wife Karen, later marrying Susan Foster and relocating to Atlanta, GA. Meanwhile, his career broadened as an expert witness in legal procedures while continuing to practice in Georgia, Florida, and New Hampshire. Fran and Susan enjoyed many happy years of adventure and companionship, eventually retiring in sunny Palm Coast, Florida.

Beyond medicine, Fran was a family man, travel enthusiast, Red Sox superfan, train lover, and theater aficionado. He was generous and kind, with a sharp wit.

He is survived by many loved ones, his wife Susan Foster Evans of Palm Coast, Florida, his siblings Rosemary Garr of Potomac, MD; Roger Evans of Kittery ME; and Priscilla Evans of Lafayette, CO, his three grandchildren: Meghan Fortier Loring of Newmarket, NH; Devon Anne Fortier of Lebanon, NH; and Jared Evans Fortier of Manchester, NH, his great niece Samantha Foster of Plymouth, MA, and his three children: Susan Evans Fortier of Newbury, NH; Amy Eleanor Evans of Pawleys Island, SC; and David Russell Evans of Atlanta, Georgia

Fran will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and colleagues.