Alvin S. Evans Jr.

Alvin S. Evans Jr., 84, formerly of Mantua, NJ, passed away peacefully at Pitman Manor on December 10, 2024. Alvin is survived by his children: Laura J. Kaighn of Williamstown NJ; Edward A. Evans of Winston-Salem NC; Alice N. Dippel (Allen Thomas) of Marion VA; Sharon R. Evans-Bannon of Atkins VA; and E. Hope Bitner (Kenneth) of Marion VA. He is also survived by his second wife, Joan L. (Daleus) Evans of Mantua NJ. Al was grandfather to nine and great-grandfather of four. Alvin is predeceased by his first wife, Mary R. (Wegmann) Evans of Marion VA, his sister Myrna Brandt, and parents Marjorie and Alvin S. Evans Sr. all of Runnemede, NJ.
Born in Camden NJ, Alvin grew up in Runnemede in an old farmhouse with woods beside it. With three generations sharing the space, young Alvin had both free rein to explore and a strict set of rules to follow. Mostly from his grandmother Hattie, also known as Ma. Meanwhile, Al's father was constantly improving their 3-story home on Schubert Avenue, adding livable spaces and renovating existing places to better assist the four women of the household. Decades later, Al Jr. would do the same with the old farmhouse he bought in 1966 for his family at the other end of town.
Al's school years included the Boy Scouts, varsity sports, the glee club, Kiwanis International's Key Club, and the Audubon HS senior yearbook staff. Al also sang in a mixed a'capella choir, the All-South Jersey Chorus and the Audubon High School choir. At an early age, his entrepreneurial pursuits started by selling candy bars door-to-door. As a young adult, Alvin was employed at Davis' produce stand, as a caddy for a Woodbury golf course, and as a handy man at Busby Brothers cement plant.
The father and son Alvins may best be known for the little vacuum cleaner shop they opened in 1961 to sell, supply and service machines on the corner of Black Horse Pike and Clements Bridge Road. When the business outgrew the renovated hotdog shack, the two moved across the street to a larger building and established "Al's Vacuum Cleaner Shop" in late 1966. Their additional employees included Alvin's mother, sister and brother-in-law. The business expanded further with more employees, hours of operation, and even 3 additional stores in Vineland, Cherry Hill and Deptford. Alva Vacuum Cleaner Center was born.
Following a 1988 fire which broke out in an adjacent apartment of the Runnemede anchor store, however, Alvin saw the vacuum cleaner market change to less expensive, replaceable machines with mostly plastic parts. He thus expanded his rebuilt business to include industrial cleaners and supplies with shampooing models included. In 1993, Alva began to lose traction to the large discount stores. Alvin eventually sold the business in 1993 to his co-owner but retained the building. This he later sold to a camera retailer. To many from the area, Alva Vacuum Cleaner Center was the iconic landmark for those traveling through Runnemede along the storied Black Horse Pike.
By 1980, Alvin had revisited his early love of a'capella singing with membership into the Pine Barons Chorus, a Cherry Hill-based group of barberhop singers. This is where Al also rekindled his joy of public service. He sang bass in the chorus, with two other nearby choruses, and in quite a few of the off-shoot quartets, most notably Special Occasion and Rave Review. This year, Alvin had achieved his 44th year with the Pine Barons – just as the chorus was celebrating its 75th year – when he fell ill.
After a 2002 divorce from his first wife and mother of his children, Alvin remarried in 2004 to Joan L. Daleus whom he rediscovered through the Audubon High School Class of 1959 Reunion Committee. They had graduated together but hadn't gravitated in the same circles. Together, the couple spent their blissful retirement just enjoying life and traveling around the world. And what a wonderful, musical world it was!
Alvin Evans would like to be remembered for his "stick-it-to-itness" and for his support of his family, marriages, business, customers, community members and 4-part harmonizing through barbershopping. Alvin's family and his Pine Barons brothers will join in song to celebrate his life.
Visitation for Alvin S. Evans Jr. will be held at the Earle Funeral Home, 122 West Church Street, Blackwood, NJ 08012 on Saturday, December 21, 2024 from 10:30- 11:30am to be followed by a brief service and singers at 11:30am.
The family would appreciate either flowers for the service (Finer Florist: 856-302-6609) OR donations in his memory to Harmony Foundation International, P.O. Box 24030, Nashville, TN 37202; (615) 571-2776; https://www.harmonyfoundation.org/
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