Ronald Evaniuk

Ronald Peter Evanuik Obituary

9/5/1956 - 2/24/2024

Ronald Peter Evanuik (Evaniuk), age 67 of Saint Paul, MN

Ron passed peacefully on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at the age of 67. He was
preceded in death by his mother Mary and older sister Christine, and is survived by his
father Peter, younger sister Paula, niece Amanda Golden, and great niece Claire
Elizabeth Golden, as well as many beloved friends.

Ron was known to many as a great musician. He started playing music at a young age,
with his first instrument being given to him in grade school. Though he had high hopes
of playing the trombone, he ended up being handed a cello by his music teacher, who
was a member of the Pittsburgh Philharmonic (and taught public-school orchestra to
make ends meet.) A favorite memory of young Ron was him needing to enlist help
from his younger sister to carry the instrument to and from school. This introduction to
the cello sparked his love for music and took him down the path of a lifetime of
performing and musically connecting with others along the way.

After a family move to Michigan, as a teenager he began playing cello in several local
community orchestras including the Allen Park, Wyandotte, Dearborn, and the Detroit
Junior Symphonies. He attended the Juilliard summer music programs and later
studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Before he finished college he was
recognized by Harry Chapin and got his first big gig. He performed cello on the album
Road to Kingdom Come and later toured with the band. A representative from the
Chapin organization stated that Ron's addition of pop strings to Chapin's sound,
enhanced the emotional depth of the music and created a unique texture to the
arrangements.

After moving to the Minneapolis/St.Paul area in 1990, he developed deep roots in music
community, showcasing his talents on the cello, and both the upright and electric bass.
He played with local acts including Eric Kamau Gravatt, Source Code, Paul Metsa,
Peter Vircks Quartet, and more, with many recording credits to his name. He also
played at major theater venues in Minneapolis/St. Paul.

In the last few years, Ron began playing with Tom and Mira Kehoe at the Zion Lutheran
church during their Sunday services, led by John Marboe. He cherished this community
that embraced him and thought it was a blessing.

In addition to his passion for music, Ron was also a model train enthusiast. He had an
impressive layout that encompassed most of his apartment. He had the eye for detail
and skilled hands to create exceptional scaled-model replicas of Pittsburgh's steel mill industry buildings.

Ron was a loving brother and son, loyal friend, accomplished musician and recording artist who had a
great sense of humor and a kind heart. He will be greatly missed by his friends and family.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Zion Lutheran Church,
Saturday, March 23, 2024, 1697 Lafond Av., St. Paul, MN
10AM Visitation with Friends
11AM Service & Life Celebration
Lunch to follow in Fellowship Hall

In remembrance of Ron's life, the family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers,
please consider a donation to the musical enrichment program, Arts on Lafond, hosted
by the Zion Lutheran church.

Play On Ron!


TwinCities Pioneer Press: John Marboe: Remembering a musical soul, Ron Evaniuk
A St. Paul church embraced him. He was energized to play again.
https://www.twincities.com/2024/03/04/john-marboe-a-musical-soul-ron-evaniuk/

Arts on Lafond celebrates the arts in the Hamline-Midway neighborhood of St. Paul
https://www.facebook.com/artsonlafond/