Funeral held for Philadelphia firefighter who died from COVID-19

Philadelphia Firefighter and Fire Boat Pilot John W. Evans III, 63, a 37-year veteran of the department, was laid to rest on Tuesday

February 24, 2021 12:14 PM

philadelphia fire department fire boat pilot john evans covid-19 death

Duty Death: John Evans - [Philadelphia]

End of Service: 13/02/2021

By Laura French

PHILADELPHIA — A veteran Philadelphia firefighter who died due to COVID-19 was laid to rest in a funeral service on Tuesday.

Philadelphia Firefighter John Evans, 63, died on Feb. 12 after a “tough battle” with the virus, the fire department said in a statement. Evans had been with the department for 37 years and had most recently served at Marine Unit 1 as a fire boat pilot. He previously served as a member of Ladder 18 for 28 years.

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A procession was held in Evans’ honor on Tuesday morning prior to the funeral service, and a boat display was conducted in the Delaware River after the service.

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Evans was the second Philadelphia firefighter to die due to COVID-19. Firefighter Eric Gore died from the virus on June 2, 2020.