Constantine A. “Connie” Evanofski, passed away on Sept. 10, 2019 following a painful but unprolonged battle with cancer. He died peacefully in Maine surrounded by family and loved ones. He was 72.

Born Aug. 9, 1947 in Hazelton, Pennsylvania to Constantine “Gus’”and Laura Evanofski, Connie was raised in Hazelton. Connie served in the Coast Guard from 1965 to 1969 during the Vietnam War. He attended boot camp at Cape May, New Jersey, and served on an icebreaker that went to the Arctic Circle. He was then was stationed in Maine serving in Bath, Popham Beach, Rockland and Boothbay Harbor; the latter of which places would prove to hold his fondest memories. Following the service, Connie spent years back in Boothbay, sharing countless summers with family and friends.

In 1973 Connie earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Maine at Farmington. Connie continued his education at the University of Buffalo where he worked towards a master’s/doctoral degree in linguistics. As a recession loomed in the mid-1970s, Connie found work in civil construction in Buffalo, New York and Toronto, Canada. He later moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1977 working as a manager and builder for luxury properties. Having missed the antics of his friends, Connie returned to Buffalo in 1979. It was during this time Connie met his future wife, Mary, at Father’s Bar. They were wed six months later at Letchworth State Park in 1983. They moved to tax-free New Hampshire and bought a house in Henniker. In 1993 Connie and Mary moved to Webster, New Hampshire, where they built a home to raise their family. Connie lived out his days here, caring for his young children, devoting his life to his beloved wife; and proudly achieved his lifelong goal of paying off the mortgage.

Connie was a strong-willed, perseverant, good-hearted man. He shared an uncanny likeness to American storyteller Garrison Keilor. In fact, Connie grew accustom to responding to unsuspecting fans that praised meeting him as though he were the celebrity. At 6’5”, Connie navigated life as the tallest person in the room. If one were to ask for help reaching an item on a shelf, he would advise them to “stand on a sheet of paper.” When he wasn’t being witty, Connie was certain to help those in need. He was generous and thoughtful. In recent years, he dutifully volunteered at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center with his wife and her colleagues at DHMC.

Connie was a writer and a photographer. A skilled carpenter, Connie built not only his home in Webster, but also a sizeable addition to his cottage in Boothbay Harbor. This daunting feat included leveling a 10-foot x 10-foot area of 18-inch depth granite ledge. Not to be discouraged, Connie rented a jackhammer from Grover’s Hardware. He worked dawn to dusk, employing the help of his children to complete the task within the 48-hour rental period.

If there was a way to save money, Connie did. He loved a good bargain and enjoyed hunting and bartering for treasures at antique shops and yard sales. He had a prized collection of over a hundred cameras, many rare and of notable value, and certainly the envy of any private collector. Perhaps most notable of the collection is his Kodak Serial #2.

Connie had an appreciation for all things well made and well designed. He was known to keep a well-maintained car. In his lifetime he owned upwards of 25 Jeeps, likely each with over 200,000 miles. Back in the day, he also owned and drove two 1960s era Opals, and a 1962 MGB roadster (reluctantly sold for its tendency to drive too fast around sharp corners and outrun cops when being tailed). An avid seaman, Connie owned several vessels. Notable favorites include: his Formula powerboat; a 16’ Catalina Capri sailboat; and a 22’ Bristol sailboat that he had been restoring. The fact that this restoration has taken place over the course of 20+ years, mind you, is inconsequential; as any fellow boat owner would know, that is just how these things go.

Connie loved to drive, sail, and travel. He loved a good drink and a good place to go out to eat. He loved adventure. For a man who was known to appreciate both long-winded stories and linguistics, perhaps it is summarized best in a latin phrase; Quam bene vivas refert non quam diu, translated: “It is how well you live that matters, not how long.” Or, ever-more thought provoking: Mea navis aëricumbens anguillis abundant. Monty Python simply puts it: “My hovercraft is full of eels.”

Connie will be fondly remembered by his loving wife of 36 years, Mary Evanofski; his children, Carolyn (Marc) Silverstein, John, Charlotte and Amelia Evanofski and Laurel (John) Christian; and his grandchildren, Hunter, Tyler and Grace Silverstein.

A ceremony to celebrate Connie’s life will take place Saturday, Sept. 14 at 11 a.m. at the Boothbay Harbor Congregational Church, 125 Townsend Avenue, Boothbay Harbor, Maine.

Please stop by the Thistle Inn from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday during Happy Hour to share stories and a drink on Connie.

Feel free to send flowers, or donate in memory of Connie to a charity of your choice.

Hall’s of Boothbay has care of the arrangements. To extend online condolences, please visit hallfuneralhomes.com