Hampton "Sonny" Andrews, Jr.

Hampton Benjamin Andrews Jr., affectionately known as “Sonny”, passed away on July 6, 2024, in Red Bank, New Jersey at the age of 81. Sonny was born on January 29, 1943, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He grew up in Red Bank and graduated from Red Bank High School.

Sonny met Joyce Armstrong while working at Riverview hospital as a food service provider.  One of their first dates was Joyce’s senior prom where string beans almondine was served. Sonny, being highly allergic to almonds, believed he could scrape them from the dish unnoticed. Needless to say, the remainder of prom night was spent in the emergency room at Riverview hospital.  They celebrated 58 years of marriage last September.

Sonny dedicated his career to the culinary arts, serving as the executive chef at Monmouth Park, Shadowbrook, Hook Line & Sinker, and recently retired from Food Circus, Foodtown in Red Bank. His fried chicken is legendary.  He also made the best soup, for which he was given the name “Souper Man”!  His love for food was not just a profession but a deep passion, evident in every dish he prepared.  He kept a spoon in his pocket because he never knew when he would need to taste something.  

He joined Pilgrim Baptist Church, Red bank, where he was actively involved in the men's ministry, cooked for church functions, and sang with the Men's choir and G&M choir. Later in 2003, he became a member of Cathedral International of Perth Amboy, where he continued to share his gifts in the Cathedral Mass choir and the Men's chorus. 

Sonny was a man of many interests including cooking, fishing, reading thrillers and cookbooks, watching westerns,Columbo and Jeopardy, savoring good food, and cruising. His generosity, kindness, humor, and culinary skills left a memorable impression on everyone he met.  Sonny always had the latest almanac and would readily give his take on the forecast.  He often accurately predicted snow storms!  

He is survived by his loving wife, Joyce Andrews; daughters, Tiffeny Andrews and Vanessa Andrews-Turner; brother, Gregory Andrews; sister-in-law, Cheryl Andrews; grandsons, John Turner, Isaiah Turner, and Nicholas Turner, and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hampton Andrews Sr. and Mary Steele-Andrews, and sisters, Shelly Andrews and Marilyn Scott.  

Sonny’s life will be celebrated and remembered for the joy and warmth he brought to the world.