Mike Evans: 1956 – 2020

15/01/21

 
21/02/21

Remembering Mike Evans, a local legend at St Peter's RFC pic.twitter.com/UfBiOIvxrW

— BBC ScrumV (@BBCScrumV) February 21, 2021

It has been impossible to convey our deepest thoughts and feelings, at St. Peter’s,  at the loss of our former Captain and Friend on Christmas Eve. The outpouring of feelings towards Mike’s family and the loss we have all felt in the rugby community has been clear on Social Media and now, quite rightly, in the WalesOnLine. Please read this fitting tribute from WalesOnLine (28/12/20), and appreciate that there is nothing we, at St. Peter’s, could add more succinctly than has been said by Owen. RIP Mike.

Beloved father and popular Cardiff rugby stalwart dies on Christmas Eve after weeks in hospital with coronavirus

Mike Evans, from Cardiff, had been in hospital for several weeks with coronavirus and died on December 24 after seemingly turning a corner

• SPORT

By Katie Sands Content Editor

• 19:49, 28 DEC 2020

Mike Evans during his time with St Peter’s RFC in Cardiff (Image: St Peter’s RFC)

Heartfelt tributes have been paid to a “true rock” and talented ex-local rugby player who died on Christmas Eve after contracting coronavirus.

Mike Evans, from Cardiff, died aged 64 on December 24 after spending weeks in hospital with Covid-19.

Born and bred in Roath, Mike was a local legend with St Peter’s RFC, a successful businessman and much-loved among friends and family.

Married to Maureen for 38 years, he was also a beloved son, father to David and Owen and a grandfather of three.

His family said he started to feel “under the weather” around a month ago, before returning a positive Covid-19 test result. Mike then spent a week at home before going into hospital – first being treated on a general ward and then an acute unit.

His son Owen, who lives in Penarth, said: “As it happens with Covid, he was a bit up and down. We thought he turned a corner and he had a dip.

“Two or three weeks ago he had to go to ITU and be put on a ventilator. He had a good few days, and had two or three good days in a row.”

Despite Mike also suffering with E.coli, the family received a positive update on December 23 – just a day before he died – to say he had improved and was doing much better than the week before.

Doctors wanted to perform a tracheotomy and wake him up after he had come out of the “critical stage” of Covid.

“We were thinking ‘that’s fantastic’,” Owen said.

“The doctor said three times ‘he’s not out of the woods yet and they can still go backwards’ but it was the first time in four or five weeks where we were talking about the future.”

Mike was expected to remain in hospital for a number of weeks while he continued his recovery. However, on Christmas Eve he took a turn for the worse and his family were called to come to the hospital.

Owen said: “We don’t fully understand why but all his organs failed the next day. I think after five weeks of fighting, it just overwhelmed him. The doctor said ‘we’re keeping him alive’, effectively.

“They gave us enough time to say our goodbyes and sadly that was it. It’s been a tough couple of days, a huge outpouring of grief from us.

“It’s one of those heartbreaking things. At least we were able to get in and see him and we were there.

“We got a chance to say all those things. Not everybody has had that.”

Since news of his death broke, the rugby and business community in Cardiff have been sending tributes in their droves.

Paying a touching tribute on behalf of the family, Owen said: “Having seen the posts, pics and comments in response to the loss of my dad, I had to post to say thank you to everyone who has been in touch on FB or otherwise to express their condolences, and to share their thoughts on what a wonderful man he was.

“The posts, comments and messages have been amazing, and they reflect what an impact he had on his world.

“He may have been 5ft 9ins tall (on his tip toes, in shoes) but he was a giant of a man. Brave, tough, loyal, generous, and with that infectious smile, confidence and mischief that would light up a room.

“He was the rock on which our family was built – a constant reassuring and unyielding presence that made you feel safe when he was by your side. There was no battle that I wouldn’t have been confident of winning with him in my corner, and his passing has shaken us to our foundations.

“We are heartbroken without him. We’ve lost a treasured husband, a brilliant dad, a doting grampy, a wonderful friend and a fearless leader. But whilst the night is a bit darker tonight, the sun will come up tomorrow and we will do as he always did in times of adversity – put our chin up, stick our chest out and fight on. Goodnight, God bless, Dad, we love you”.

Mike had attended St Peter’s Primary School and what was then known as Lady Mary RC High School. He left school aged 14, with no qualifications, to build and become the managing director of an electrical engineering firm – Evans Electrical – which now employs around 80 people in Cardiff.

As for rugby, he played from the age of 16 onwards until he retired at 35 – St Peter’s RFC through and through.

A former hooker, Mike is described by Owen as having “all the attributes that come with that: chopsy, he was a competitor.

“He had the big heart and the tenacity. He was a leader. Lots of the messages we’ve had are people saying they would have run through a brick wall for him.”

During his St Peter’s RFC career, Mike captained the youth, skippered the senior side for five seasons including their centenary year, captained them to win the Silver Ball, and was named player of the year several times.

After his playing days were finished, he returned to the club to coach the youth and was the manager for the famous win over Cardiff.

In his later years, he held a season ticket for Cardiff City.

Owen added: “He was one of those people, a very generous man and somebody who gave back to his community, whether that was rugby or just people local to him.”

St Peter’s RFC – playing rugby in Cardiff East since 1886 – posted on Christmas Eve: “It is very difficult to put into words the sense of grief people are feeling after the passing of Mike Evans.

“Club legend, great friend, true rock, incredible player.

“Devastating news and taken far too soon. A true gent who made friends far and wide, both within rugby and outside. The world is a poorer place without him.”

Club chairman Andrew Chandler added: “Mike Evans was St Peter’s.”

Former Wales international Mark Ring said on Twitter: “Absolutely devastating news to lose such a wonderful person to the Virus RIP Mike.”