BRUNSWICK – Geoffrey Evans was born on Aug. 7, 1938 in Altoona, Pa., the fourth son of a coal mining engineer father and a polyglot mother. He grew up near Cresson with his brothers Jim, Bruce, and Pete. His childhood was filled with farm chores, riding horses, evading vicious geese, and trying to keep up with his elder brothers.

He followed them to boarding school at Mercersburg Academy, where he developed his love for running. His coach, Jimmy Curran, was a huge influence on his life. Later, his soon-to-be wife said that meeting Jimmy was more intimidating than meeting Jef’s family

He attended Stanford University, where he majored in psychology and minored in mathematics. He continued to run in a very competitive program, sharing the track with future Olympians, and running with those battling to set the record for the collegiate mile. More important than his studies or his running was a blind date set up by his roommate’s brother: he met Marty Miller on Friday the 13th, and thoroughly charmed by her, they got engaged before he graduated. He was knocked out by her beauty and her spirit of playfulness.

They married, and at Jimmy Curran’s request, he returned to Mercersburg Academy to coach the track team, and teach mathematics. They had two children while there: Craig and Stacy. Later he moved to Woodbury Forest in Virginia to continue teaching, and added two more children to the family: Kirsten, and Eric.

With Marty’s support they moved to Minneapolis, Minn. so he could complete his doctorate. He then moved to Brunswick to launch a psychology practice near brother Peter’s medical practice. During that time he heartily welcomed new additions to the family–first his children’s partners, Ruben, Keith, Victoria and Kathy–then all of his grandchildren. First Dan and Nate, and later Kai, Liam, and Rei.

When he reluctantly retired, Marty talked him into moving back to California. They remodeled a mid-century modern house with help from Eric and his sons Dan and Nate. After Marty died–deeply missing the love of his life–he returned to Maine. He traveled abroad, visited with his children and grandchildren, and worked with Eric to remodel his home.

He was known everywhere he went for his teasing sense of humor and great generosity. He collected many friends over the years, and always was ready to make a new one. He revived his running career in his 50s, and collected awards at most of his races. He loved the chance to compete with the Unum track team, and was delighted to be back in contact with students from his career in coaching. He never met a dog he didn’t want to pet, or a toddler he couldn’t charm.

He said recently that he wanted to use his time to “lift people up.” Throughout his life, he found helping people, as a coach, a teacher, a therapist, or a smiling face on the street, deeply rewarding.

He is survived by his brother, Bruce; his children Craig, Stacy, Kirsten, and Eric and their spouses; his grandchildren, Dan, Nate, Kai, Liam, and Rei; his great-grandchildren, Nora and Margo; and many nieces and nephews.

There will be a celebration of life held on Saturday, June 28 at 2 p.m. at Bowdoin College, Thorne Hall in the Dagget Lounge, for all those that would like to attend.