Brother Mark Evans, O.S.B.

Brother Mark John Evans, O.S.B., a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, Latrobe, Pennsylvania, died Monday, September 16, 2019 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he was stationed at Saint Gregory the Great Parish for the past 20 years. He was born February 22, 1933, in Canton, Ohio, a son of the late Robert Andrew Evans of Canton and Julia Cecilia (Halter) Evans. He was one of seven children, including David E. Evans, St. Paul, Indiana; Clare Y. Evans of Canton and the late Father Martin Gene Evans, O.S.B., James A. Evans, Elizabeth M. Evans and Mary Ann Villard.

He attended Saint Benedict Parochial School, Canton, which was founded and administered by the monks of Saint Vincent. He was a 1951 graduate of Canton South High School.

He was influenced to become a monk after graduation by his pastor. Father Regis McCoy, O.S.B., and his late brother Martin, who was already studying for the priesthood at Saint Vincent. He made simple profession of monastic vows on May 17, 1953 and perpetual profession on November 17, 1956. He made solemn profession of vows on July 11, 1967.

Following his arrival at Saint Vincent, he became involved with the Saint Vincent College Bookstore, of which he became manager in 1967. He noted in an interview that he became involved with the bookstore because of his love of books. Because of his involvement with the bookstore he met and interacted with virtually every student who attended Saint Vincent for the 48 years of his tenure. He saw the bookstore through many changes, from the 1950s, when the cash and change was kept in a cigar box, to a cash register and, in the 1990s, to computerization.

While working in the bookstore, he also worked in the College Post Office for approximately 15 years. He served as manager of the bookstore until his reassignment in 1999, when he became a pastoral associate at Saint Gregory the Great Parish in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He served in the bookkeeping department of Saint Gregory the Great School for three years. In recent years, Brother Mark served as manager of the thrift store and food pantry, as well as guestmaster at Saint Gregory the Great and money counter for the parish.

Brother Mark was a Notary Public for 25 years and was the minority inspector of the voting polls for Beatty District in Unity Township for 30 years. He was also a former member of the Saint Vincent Fire Department.

His hobbies included deer and turkey hunting, and upon moving to Virginia Beach, he enjoyed fishing.

Viewings and services will be held in both Virginia Beach and Latrobe. The body of Brother Mark will be received at 2 p.m. Wednesday, September 18, at Saint Gregory the Great Parish, 5345 Virginia Beach Boulevard, where a viewing will follow until 6 p.m., followed by a chalice ceremony and wake service. Calling hours will continue from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Church. A reception will follow. The Altmeyer Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed by clicking the “post a condolence” button on this page.

The body of Brother Mark will then be transported to Latrobe, where viewing, Mass of Christian Burial, and interment will be held in the following days.

Memorial contributions may be made using the links attached to Treasured Memories Funding sites to the St. Gregory the Great Renew, Preserve, Grow Campaign or the Benedictine Health and Welfare Fund, Saint Vincent Archabbey, 300 Fraser Purchase Rd., Latrobe, PA 15650.