Reverend Hugh Wilford Evans

Reverend Hugh Wilford Evans, age 90, a longtime resident of Chelmsford, passed away peacefully at the Life Care Center of Acton on Saturday, September 12, 2026. He was the beloved husband of Emily Dee (Jerome) Evans with whom he enjoyed 63 years of marriage.

Hugh was born on April 8,1936 to Rev. Dr. Wilford Holmes and Maude Elizabeth (Hunt) Evans in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where he grew up and maintained a strong connection throughout his life. He was class president at Sheboygan’s North High School and a star tennis player both in his hometown and in Pilgrim, Michigan, where he spent his summers at the Congregational Summer Assembly with a close group of friends, “The Stinkers.” Hugh’s spirit for adventure started from a young age, as he spent his junior year of both high school and college abroad in Germany, in Hanover and Munich respectively. Hugh stayed in touch with his host families for the remainder of his life.

Hugh felt called to ministry from a young age, and after attending Oberlin College, being drafted to serve in the army, finishing his bachelor’s at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and attending seminary at Andover Newton Theological Seminary, he was ordained on June 13, 1965, in Medford, Wisconsin.

Few people are fortunate enough to find a vocation that fits them the way ministry fit Hugh. Over the course of a distinguished career lasting over 50 years, Hugh served his community at churches in Medford and Dorchester, Wisconsin, then moved to New England where he was pastor at Central Congregational Church in Chelmsford, Trinity Church in Gloucester, and three churches in Beverly including Second Congregational Church, Dane Street Church, and the Church in the Cove.

Throughout his life, Hugh loved traveling both locally and to faraway places, reading thick tomes about the history of various historical figures, and collecting stamps. Music always held a special place in his life, and he sang in choirs from his earliest ages until his eighties. Hugh was proud of his experience singing with the Saengerfest Men’s Choir in concert halls around the world, but his most cherished musical memory surely took place early in his life; he met his wife, Emily, while singing in the Andover Newton choir during graduate school.

There was perhaps nothing more important to Hugh than family, and he maintained a close connection to family both in the present and past. He was an avid genealogist who proudly traced his Welsh heritage and attended many Gymanfa Ganu gatherings across the country.

In addition to his loving wife, Hugh is survived by children Peter (Catherine) Evans of Windham, NH, Alison Evans of Ferrisburgh, VT, and Timothy (Dawn) Evans of Pelham, NH; his grandchildren Evan Ney of Minneapolis, MN, Anna and Bobby Evans of Windham, NH, and Emily Ney of Philadelphia, PA. He is also survived by several loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and a close circle of dear friends.

Hugh was predeceased by his parents and his three brothers, David, Stephen, and Thomas Evans.

Funeral services and interment will be held privately for the family. A public Celebration of Life will be held in the spring. Please check back for details.