John Paul Andrews

East Providence - John P. Andrews, 65, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 27, 2025, surrounded by his family at RI Hospital in Providence. Born November 8, 1959, in Providence, Rhode Island, John's journey was one marked by dedication, laughter, and love as well as his sarcasm.

John's devotion to his family was the cornerstone of his life. He was the beloved husband of the late Cheryl (Ezovski) Andrews, the caring son of his mother, Lucy (Ormonde) Andrews and his late father, John Andrews of East Providence. John's role as a father was one he embraced with his whole heart; he guided and cherished his sons, Andy Benoit and his wife Christina, John P. Andrews Jr. and his girlfriend Anh, both of East Providence, and Jay Benoit and his wife Melissa of Pawtucket. His granddaughters, Kyla, Kaelyn and Scarlett will surely miss but will always remember the fond memories of Pop. He was the loving brother of Deborah Merola and her husband William of Warwick.  John was the proud uncle of Christina and David.  Additionally, he had 10 great nieces and nephews.

John's dedication to his community was unwavering, as evident by his commendable 35-year tenure as a Police Officer for the East Providence Police Department. Notably, John was known as “Super Mario”, “Fred the baker” and “the Mustache cop” by the community as he kept the residents safe conducting speed enforcement.  John received numerous awards for his traffic safety efforts; however, he was always fair and treated all he stopped with respect.  Even after retirement, he remained an active and respected figure within the department, his presence a testament to his commitment to service and protection.

As a lifelong hockey enthusiast and avid Bruins fan, John also played hockey for many years.  Most memorable was playing with the “Thursday night hockey crew” for over 20 years where his red helmet and one-handed stick handling will never be forgotten.  During his final year of competitive hockey, he had the joy of having his father as his team’s honorary coach where they won the championship.  John also volunteered as an assistant coach for East Providence High School hockey team for several years.  Although John loved playing and coaching, his greatest joy came from watching his sons take the ice, sharing in the thrill of every save and every hard-fought game. 

John’s adventurous side often drew him to Las Vegas, where he visited at least once a year for the past 25 years.  A city that matched his energy and love for excitement, whether it was shooting dice at the craps table, hitting when he shouldn’t at blackjack, or facing his fear of heights by going to the top of the Strat tower.  Back home in Rhode Island was where John truly found his peace, out on the water, boating or digging clams with family along the shoreline he cherished.

John was the real-life Norm from Cheers, everyone knew his name as he was both a friend and fixture at his favorite establishment, Luckys. Whether he was at Luckys or Dublin Rose, no visit was complete without John’s laughter ringing out, flipping his pinky at you, and his jokes flowing freely, always with a Jack and Diet nearby and his friends close at hand.

To say John was loving and kind does not fully encapsulate the depth of his character; his generosity knew no bounds, his warmth was felt by all who had the privilege to know him, and his kindness left an indelible mark on the hearts of family, friends, and the community he served.

John lived a life that was not just full, but meaningfully so. His legacy is one of love, laughter, and an unwavering dedication to the well-being of others. He will be profoundly missed, yet his memory will continue to inspire those who had the honor of sharing in his remarkable journey.

Calling hours are on Monday, November 3, 2025, from 4:00PM– 8:00PM at Rebello Funeral Home. His funeral will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at 8:30AM from the Rebello Funeral Home, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00AM in St. Martha ‘s Church, 2595 Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence. Friends and family are invited to attend.  

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Gateway for Cancer Research. 1449 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 13128, Chicago, IL, 60605 or to Cancer Research Institute, 29 Broadway, Floor 4, New York, NY 10006-3111

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