It is with deep sadness that we share the news that William Roderick (Rod) Evans, loving husband and devoted son and uncle passed away on Thursday, June 11, 2020 after many courageous years battling Multiple Myeloma. Rod was born on April 24, 1959 in Ottawa, Ontario to John H. Evans and Doris (Dody) Evans. He loved skiing, water skiing, boating and especially swimming. An avid gardener whose garden was featured in gardening magazines. Rod is survived by his loving husband and partner of the last 36 years, Douglas Ferland, his mother Dody, his niece Emily and her husband Jamie Hagget and his sister Susan. Pre-deceased by his father John and his brother Peter. Rod will be sadly missed but not forgotten by his husband, his family including his cousins and by his many good friends. We offer special thanks to the team of doctors and nurses too numerous to mention, who contributed greatly to Rod’s quality of life without whom this battle would have ended a long time ago. In lieu of flowers, donations in Rod’s name could be made to the Plasma Cell Disorders/Multiple Myeloma Clinics in care of the Ottawa Hospital Foundation. Arrangements entrusted to Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services (613-741-9530). A Celebration of Rod’s Life will be held when circumstances allow. Updated information will be posted at www.beechwoodottawa.ca.
If making a donation to the Ottawa Hospital Foundation online using the link to the left of this page, please select "Use my gift where it is needed most."
Then add "Please direct my donation to the Plasma Cell Disorders/Multiple Myeloma Clinics" in the "What inspired you to donate" space.
Digital Guestbook
Don Kilby
Lorraine Seed
While driving in the Smyth Road area, I would often make a detour to stop and admire Rod's enchanting garden, and if lucky, get to chat a bit with Rod. He was a lovely human being, and I have many of his perennials in my own garden. My late condolences to Rod's family.
Allan Forget
I was a friend of Rod's brother, Peter. Though I met Rod only a couple of times just around Peter's death in the early 1980s. I remember him well --- sweet and caring. Very sad to learn that he has died so young. Sincere condolences to Doug.
As I was searching for Dody’s contacts, it is with much sadness that I learnt of Rod’s passing. The Evan’s family have always been such an inspiration to so so many gay and lesbian community members even before the darkest days of the AIDS epidemic when Peter and his family taught us all to be kind and caring and showed us by example how to love one another. I will never forget the love and acceptance John and Dody showed me in the 70’s and how embracing this family was to all young gay and lesbian men and women and then how that love and support supported us all through our darkest times. It is often in the smallest gestures or the simplest words that we find the strongest lifelines. Rod threw me one of those lifelines on a summer evening shortly after they bought their house outside Ottawa. You all inspired me to do all that I could in advocacy for and care, treatment and support of those living with HIV and AIDS. We are eternally grateful.