THOMPSON, CT - Andrew F. “Sonny” Hoenig, 81, a member of the “Greatest Generation,” died Thursday, Oct. 2, in UMass Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. His wife of 40 years, Gretchen M. (Redlitz) Hoenig, died in 2001.
He leaves 2 sons, Paul A. and his wife Judith A. Hoenig and Thomas R. Hoenig, all of Thompson; 2 sisters, Anna Steele and Elaine Krommer, both of Webster, MA; 2 grandsons, Matthew Hoenig and Timothy Hoenig; a close friend, Theresa Arter; nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his brother, William Hoenig, and by 2 sisters, Philomena Morse and Margaret Ziako.
He was born and raised in Webster, MA, a son of Christian and Anna (Zimmerer) Hoenig. He later lived in Thompson. He graduated from Bartlett High School in 1944; he excelled in all sports and was the captain of his high school basketball team; he also played varsity baseball. He then graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York.
He served as a ship’s cook in the U.S. Navy Seabees during World War II, spending 1944-1946 in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater.
Mr. Hoenig was head chef for 45 years at the Colonial Restaurant in Webster, MA, retiring in 1990.
He was a member of Saint Louis Church in Webster, MA and of the Serra Club of Southern Worcester County. He was a founding member of the Nipmuc Ski Club in Webster, and is fondly remembered for the many summers spent teaching his nieces and nephews to ski at the camp on Webster Lake. Both he and his wife traveled extensively.
The funeral will be held Monday, October 6, from the Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main St., Webster, MA, with a Mass at 10:00 AM in St. Louis Church, 14 Lake St., Webster, MA. Burial, with military honors, will be in Calvary Cemetery, Dudley, MA. Calling hours are from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Sunday, October 5, in the funeral home. Donations may be made to the Saint Louis School Endowment Fund, 15 Lake Street, Webster, MA 01570.