Roger Evans

Roger Evans, a longtime resident of Montauk and East Hampton who was known informally as the Weatherman, died on June 23 at the Southampton Care Center, where he had spent the last four years of his life. The cause was complications of pneumonia. Mr. Evans was 71.

Despite a very difficult upbringing and a mental disability, Mr. Evans overcame obstacles with determination and strength, said Gerry Mooney, a manager of the Windmill Village and St. Michael’s housing complexes in East Hampton and Amagansett, respectively. Mr. Evans lived at the Windmill Village II development from 2003 to 2013.  

Talented in arts and crafts as well as cooking for others, Roger Evans was born on Aug. 16, 1945, in New York City. The youngest of 13 children, he grew up in the city, though little else is known about his past.

His parents did not send him to school, Mr. Mooney said, but he taught himself to read and write. Members of the city’s police force and fire brigades took him under their wing and let him assist in setting up and removing barricades at the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Even after moving to Montauk, in the 1970s, he continued to take the Long Island Rail Road to Manhattan to help out at the event. He also assisted police officials locally, Mr. Mooney said.

In Montauk, he worked at odd jobs, mostly on the docks and boats, including those of the Viking fleet. Eddie Ecker, a friend, called Mr. Evans a “true Montauk character” who “didn’t have a mean bone in his body.” He was kind and genuine, and loved being with people, especially children, Mr. Mooney said.

In 2003, Mr. Evans learned that he had been selected for an apartment at Windmill Village II. He told Mr. Mooney it was the first time he felt that he had a family and that he felt at home. While living there, he worked at the East Hampton Food Pantry. Whatever the task, be it building shelves or organizing food drives, he was up to it, Mr. Mooney said.

Information on surviving relatives could not be determined. Mr. Evans’s surviving friends include Mr. Mooney and Debbie Hoey, both of East Hampton.

A memorial service will be held tonight at 6 at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Amagansett. Memorial contributions have been suggested for the Windmill Village Apartments, 207 Accabonac Road, East Hampton 11937