Anthony Joseph “AJ” Evans
January 21, 1967 – July 2, 2026
Anthony Joseph Evans, known as “AJ,” died on July 2, 2026, in his New York City apartment at the age of 59, following a several-month battle with lung cancer.
Born in 1967, AJ was the son of the late Joseph W. Evans (April 7, 1943 – October 19, 2017) and Emily “Penny” Evans (January 21, 1944 – January 16, 2014). He grew up in and lived most of his life in Norwood, Pennsylvania, and attended Interboro High School before serving in the United States Navy.
AJ spent much of his life as a musician, working as an independent artist and performing with his band, Group of Deviants.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Brian J. Evans (August 25, 1970 – December 18, 1993) and Charles W. Evans (September 27, 1964 – March 1, 1994).
He is survived by his sisters, Amanda R. Evans of Detroit, Michigan, and Crystal A. Evans of Chester, Pennsylvania, and his nephews, Brian J. Barlow of Wilmington, North Carolina, and Tyler J. McFarland of Media, Pennsylvania.
AJ marched to the beat of his own drum, danced to a song only he could hear, and never once cared who was watching.
A private family memorial will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in AJ’s memory to amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research (amfar.org).
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8 thoughts on “Anthony Joseph Evans”
AJ played a bigger role in my life than most people probably know. He’s the reason I got to know my grandfather Joe, and my aunts Crystal and Amanda, and my brother Tyler — he helped bring us all together. At a time when I wasn’t sure what I was capable of, he saw something in me and made sure I knew it too.
He was the uncle who told you the truth whether you wanted to hear it or not — and honestly, he also taught me a masterclass in what not to do in life, sometimes just by being himself. But somewhere between the wisdom and the warnings, he inspired me to chase my own path, build my own career, and never settle for the cookie-cutter version of life everyone else seems to be handed.
I won’t pretend it was simple. I spent a lot of years angry with him, and I’ve had to make peace with some of the things he did. But I’m grateful I knew him, grateful for his story, and grateful for his wisdom. The AJ I choose to remember is the one who showed up for me when I was young and needed him most.
I hope wherever the music took you, you’ve finally found the peace this life never gave you. Rest easy, Uncle AJ. and tell Grandpa Joe, Grandma Penny, Uncle Charlie, and Dad how deeply they’re loved, how greatly they’re missed, and that their memory lives on in all of us.”
Sorry for your family’s loss. I met him in Norwood at your mom’s house; he was funny. Hope he fine Peace. Sending prayers and hugs.
Thank you Kit!
You are so sweet as always!
Love you!
Anthony was so talented and had a great sense of humor. He had an amazing energy. I will always love you my brother and even though I didn’t get enough time with you or any of my brothers, I will hold your memories in my heart and cherish the time we got.
Rest in Peace
Goodbye AJ ♥️
Anthony I miss you A lot between all our laughs.The Merry go round that you use to spin and run with.When me and my friends would be sitting on it.While we where smoking.We would all scream at him to stop but he would be laughing.Anthony is the one who gave me my Nickname Babs.My Name is Betty Ann Barr.He through and S on it because he didn’t like Bab So my friends from De.and Pa calls me Babs.I got that nickname in 7th grade.He use to have alsome pool parties
I met AJ at about 5am at Annie’s Steak house in Washington, D.C. He passed by my table and we looked at each other and I knew he and I were friends from another time and universe.
He felt that way, too. I was struck by his intelligence and his sense of odd humor. We could almost read each other’s minds.
AJ, you were undoubtedly the funniest man I’ve ever known. He did pretty cool music, and he was just getting into AI music and it was fantastic!
AJ, as Raymond Marble said, I love you more than my hair color.
Things were always tough for you, like a black cloud. I was totally shocked, so sudden, but I know we will see each other again.
In some other universe.
God Bless you and keep you out of the pain and disappointment you were in.
Bill
While our paths in life didn’t cross as often as I wish they had, I was still grateful to know you as my brother. I hope you’ve found the peace that may have been hard to find in life. Rest in peace, Anthony
AJ he will surely be missed by me we met in a very weird way on Facebook you looking for guitarist and me having a son who plays the guitar hear you ended up knowing him and we became friends after that and unfortunately I went through but you lost your mother and you had to sell the house and you didn’t have nowhere to go I said come live with me and you did it was only supposed to be for a month and then ended up being almost two years then you proceeded to move to New York and we have continued on I’m truly going to miss you I love you you were the best roommate I ever had. You were only supposed to stay a month or so you said but I miss two and a half years later you were still with me and I loved it we had some good times I hope you rest in peace and I just want you to know I will truly miss you love you AJ.