Evans Stephens Szymanski's Obituary
Evans Stephens Szymanski age 83 of Algonac, MI. Beloved husband, brother, uncle, friend, and community supporter passed away on May 2, 2026 unexpectedly.
Evans was born on January 21, 1943 in Detroit, Michigan to the late Leo and Josephine Szymanski. He married Martha Olimer, the love of his life, on June 24, 1972; she survives him. The two were inseparable, one rarely seen without the other, one name (Martha and Evans), one breath, one heart.
Evans began his 47 year career with Algonac Community Schools as a mechanic, and worked his way up to Director of Transportation. There wasn’t a job he wouldn’t do. If a bus needed to be driven, he drove it; if it needed to be pulled out of a ditch, he pulled it; if it broke down, he fixed it.
On one dramatic occasion, when the ice got too thick for the Harsens Island ferry to get across the river, Evans used the momentum and weight of the bus to transform the vessel into a makeshift icebreaker as he drove the bus from one end of the ferry to the other and Martha held her breath on shore.
He loved working with children and families and knew the address of every kid in town. When he drove a bus, he made sure he said hello to each and every student who boarded it. He loved the responses he got from the kids. Evans also loved his bus drivers and expected the best from them. They meant so much to him. Even now, 17 years after retiring, bus horns honking “hello” are still a regular occurrence at the Szymanski home,
To teach children about bus safety, Evans built a miniature remote control bus that he could take into schools. The lights flashed, the seats were made from the brown leather of real bus seats, and the kids could get in and “drive” it while Evans maneuvered it via remote. It starred in parades and the Bluebird bus company invited him to bring it to Cobo Hall, in Detroit, for a bus show. He had to put the eight foot bus in an elevator to bring it to the show floor.
Evans loved and was beloved by his community. He was presented with the Golden Nugget Award for making accommodations for students with special needs, and Evans and Martha were recognized as Algonac Citizens of the Year for their service to the children of Algonac. He spent time working in the yard and decorating for the holidays because he knew the kids enjoyed it.
In retirement, Evans turned his attention to the perfection of the Algonac-Clay Historical Society Maritime Museum. He poured himself into the work of creating the displays and collections that were donated or on loan. It started with two boats, then a floor tiled to look like water, an area transformed into a boathouse, displays, meeting rooms, and a Streamtime Live camera that tracks boat traffic on the river. If someone wanted to donate a boat, people would say, “There’s no room for that.” He’d say, “Yes there is, and I already know where to put it.” He always found a place. He was someone who could make anything work. It was all self-taught and self-motivated.His sense of humor, gentle kindness, and determination to make life better for those around him, will live on in the memories of those fortunate to have known him.
Surviving are his wife Martha of 54 years, his brother Lee (Susan) Szymanski, sister-in-law Wanda Szymanski, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, nephews, and a great-great nephew and niece. In addition to his parents, Evans was predeceased by his brother Carl Szymanski. A memorial will be held at a later date.Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider the Algonac-Clay Township Historical Society’s Maritime Museum.
Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to the Young Gilbert Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Algonac.
What’s your fondest memory of Evans?
What’s a lesson you learned from Evans?
Share a story where Evans' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Evans you’ll never forget.
How did Evans make you smile?