Kenneth Evans, longtime aide to Sen. Specter, dies at 80.

KENNETH EVANS JR. was a handy guy to have around. He could take a haunted house in Lansdowne, chase out the ghosts and make it livable.

And for U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter, Kenny was the go-to man who could fix problems others gave up on, and open doors in the black community for the man he worked with for 30 years to step through.

Kenneth Evans, executive assistant to Specter, a former volunteer campaign worker who helped many a political candidate win elections, devoted family man and Army veteran, died Sunday of complications of heart surgery. He was 80 and lived in that "haunted" house in Lansdowne.

"He was the hardest-working man I ever met," said his granddaughter Lynn Williams. "When he bought that house in Lans-downe, some family members wouldn't go into it. It looked haunted. But he turned it around and made it look a whole lot better."

Kenny was just as handy dealing with Specter's constituents in the black community.

"With Kenny Evans advising me for the last 30 years, I was better able to understand and respond to the needs of the African-American community and beyond," Specter said.

"Every individual was important and we left no one out, providing help wherever we could."

A fellow staff member said, "In the office, Kenny was known for taking on difficult constituent problems that were not given to easy solutions.

"He once helped a woman move to Hawaii with her cats, despite that state's strict animal quarantine laws. He made it possible for a returning Iraqi war veteran to bring home a dog he had adopted."

Mary Clark, a retired Specter staffer who was in charge of veterans affairs, said that Kenny would listen to the problems of fellow staffers and offer words of wisdom.

"We called them 'Kennyisms,' " she said. "He was a great confidante."

Anthony Cunningham, who formerly ran Specter's Philadelphia office, said, "No one had greater political know-how or institutional knowledge than Kenny. Whenever I needed to know something, I'd go to Kenny."

Former U.S. Attorney Patrick L. Meehan, onetime aide to Specter, called Kenny the "go-to man" when it came to strengthening relations with the black community.

He said that Kenny "bridged the gap between the traditional white political power structure and the emerging African-American political base in Philadelphia."

The Rev. Terrence D. Griffith, pastor of the First African Baptist Church at 16th and Christian streets, said that Kenny was the "consummate front man and advocate for Arlen Specter. You couldn't find a better ambassador."

Among causes Kenny championed as Specter's man in the black community were homeless-prevention programs and securing Social Security and veterans' benefits for all who qualified.

"He worked hard to ensure a safer and secure place for people of the community through his efforts with programs to prevent the abuse of women and children, and to assist those suffering with emotional grievances," his family said in an obituary.

"He worked tirelessly to help secure jobs and homes for those in need. He leveraged his power to make a difference in the lives of many people in Philadelphia and beyond."

Kenny came to Specter's attention through his work with the Postal Workers and Steelworkers Unions when he drove a tractor-trailer for the Postal Service, and through his longtime work for many political candidates in the city.

"I had heard of his reputation, met with him and hired him on the spot," Specter said.

Kenny was born in Philadelphia to Bessie and Kenneth Evans Sr. He attended Benjamin Franklin High School. He joined the Army in 1946, and served as an engineer, truck driver and postal clerk with the 3rd Army in Europe.

As a handyman, he built decks, cement walkways and other projects around the house. "He insisted you have to work for what you want to get," his granddaughter said. "Hard work pays off. He was very firm - but loving."

Kenny was an avid Eagles and Sixers fan, and enjoyed traveling, including trips to Acapulco, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Barbados and Bermuda, as well as sites in the United States.

He was a member of St. Louis Church, in Yeadon.

He also is survived by his wife of 35 years, the former Charlotte Young; four sons, Kenneth Evans III, Lamont Vernon Evans, Darnell Brockington and Martin Henry; six daughters, Wanda Elizabeth Evans, Marsha Carter, Vivian Brockington, Elizabeth Ann Brockington, Sharry Renee Elliott and Kim Frye; 17 other grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren, and his former wife, Sarah.

Services: 10 a.m. tomorrow at Bible Way Baptist Church, 52nd and Master streets. Friends may call at 8 a.m. Burial will be in Fernwood Cemetery.