In Memory of Daniel A. Evans

Obituary

On December 27, 2025, Daniel A. Evans, 90, passed away in Utica, New York. Son of the late Aubrey M. Evans and Mary Adams Doolittle Evans, of Barneveld, New York, and Naples, Florida. Evans was a Resident of the Presbyterian Adult Community at the time of his passing.

Born in 1935 in Boston, Massachusetts, with a family lineage that includes the distinguished American Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams. Evans was raised in the small Upstate New York town of Barneveld before moving to New York City, where he resided during his 25+ year career as a New York City Social Worker, helping track down welfare fraud. 

After attending the Ridley College Prep School in St. Catherines, Canada, Evans went on to graduate from St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York.

Between 1959 and 1961, Evans served in the Army Reserve’s 81st Readiness Division, stationed at Ft. Buchanan, Puerto Rico. In addition to participation in the Army Marching Band, he often played piano in the Officer’s Club.

Evans career as a pianist blossomed during his years as a Resident in Queens. He was an accomplished pianist and performer, in the popular, jazz and classical genres, from an early age, including a memorized repertoire of over 800 songs, which turned into an active and lengthy career in music. While working at Schirmer’s Retail store he came in contact with numerous professional musicians, like Al Haig, who fostered his music career. He had stints as the house pianist for the City’s legendary Drake Hotel, in addition to engagements at various restaurants throughout the the New York City and Long Island area. At the same time, he became an active member of New York’s legendary Gramercy Park-based Players Club, the long-standing club for Artists and Art-Lovers that includes some of the most famous names from the American Art, Theater, Music, and Literary worlds. For more than 20 years, he and friend Pete Rubin volunteered to perform at a host of nursing homes and community centers throughout the Utica and Barneveld area. 

Evans was a passionate student of facts and collector of items associated with the ill-fated “Titanic”. He was an involved member of The Titanic Society, and was the official musician multiple times at the surface site of the ship’s sinking and visited the Belfast’s famous Harland and Wolff Shipyard, where the ship was constructed between 1909 and 1912. He was also the owner of a realistically detailed 5-foot long model of the craft.

In terms of personal interests, he was an avid reader and had significant knowledge of the history of film, with particular focus on the stars, stories, and studios of Hollywood’s Golden Age.

Evans was Predeceased by brothers Bradley B. Evans and Jenner L. Evans. He is survived by brother James S. Evans, sister-in-law Kerrianne Evans, and niece Colleen Evans of Henderson, Nevada, in addition to numerous Doolittle and Major relatives in the Barneveld and Utica, New York areas.

Evans life will be celebrated at a service in Utica’s Episcopalian Grace Church at a later date, where he was an active Parishioner, before intermittent at the Olden-Barneveld Cemetery.

Arrangements are in the care of Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, New Hartford.

To offer online expressions of sympathy go to fwefh.com