Andre "Dre" Prince

Andre Maurice Prince, affectionately known to some as “Dray,” and to one very special person as “Angus,” was born on July 26, 1970, in Brooklyn, New York. On September 13, 2026, at the age of 56, Andre quietly and peacefully departed this life.

Andre was truly one of a kind—a gentle giant whose presence could never be overlooked. He was a kind, loving, and genuine man with a heart big enough to make room for everyone. Wherever Andre went, he made a friend. To Andre, there was no such thing as a stranger. He had a special way of making people feel welcome, remembered, and loved.

And then, of course, there were sports.

Andre was a true sports fanatic and fiercely loyal to his teams. He was a devoted Boston Celtics basketball fan, a San Francisco 49ers football fan, a Duke college basketball fan, and a New York Yankees fan. But perhaps his most legendary athletic accomplishment was being known as one of the greatest Knicks haters around.

Andre didn't simply watch sports—he lived for them.

He loved to talk, debate, brag, and, most of all, trash talk. If you didn't love his teams, you had better have had some tough skin because Andre was coming for you! His friends knew exactly what they were getting when he showed up—or when his name appeared on their phone.

They may have loved Andre dearly, but when it came to sports, they loved to hate him just as much. And if one of his teams won, you were definitely going to hear about it. If one of the teams he couldn't stand won, well...let's just say Andre was probably having a very bad day!

That was Andre—funny, playful, passionate, and never afraid to let you know exactly how he felt.

He had a joke for almost everything. His sense of humor could fill a room, and he had a gift for making people laugh. If you were around Andre long enough, chances were you were going to smile, laugh, or become the target of one of his jokes.

But behind all that humor was a man who also appreciated quietness, peace, and simply being at ease. Andre knew how to enjoy the simple moments, and those moments often meant the most.

Andre loved his family deeply. He believed that family was for life. He stayed connected to the people he loved and was never ashamed to tell them exactly how he felt. His love was genuine, his loyalty was unwavering, and his presence in the lives of those around him mattered.

His love extended beyond people. Andre had a special place in his heart for animals and children, and the kindness he showed them reflected the gentle spirit he carried throughout his life.

His wife, Rondha Hooks Prince, was his calm and his peace. Andre loved being around her and found comfort in simply sharing life with her. Their relationship was a cherished and meaningful part of who he was.

Andre leaves behind a loving family who will forever cherish his memory: his beloved wife, Rondha Hooks Prince; his children, Shannon, Demetri, Rhyan, Journee, Jazzmin, and William; his mother, Edwina Baker; his sister, Monique Mayard; his brother-in-law, Eric Mayard; his uncle, Michael Baker; his nephews, Jared, Joel, Jason, and Judah; his grandson, Maison Holmes; his sister-in-law, Katrina Connor; and his brother-in-law, Bennie (Sylvie) Hooks.

Andre also leaves behind two loving families who welcomed him as their own and became an important part of his life: the Johnson family and the Beard family.

A very special thank you goes to Vernon Johnson, Andre's closest friend, who stepped into the gap and has been there to help ensure that Andre's family has been cared for during this difficult time. His friendship, love, and support have been deeply appreciated.

And, of course, Andre leaves behind countless friends and loved ones—people he met throughout his life, people he remained connected to, people he made laugh, people he teased, and people who were fortunate enough to call him family.

Andre's voice may be quiet now, but the laughter he created, the love he gave, the friendships he formed, and the memories he left behind will continue to speak for him.

So, Andre, our Gentle Giant, rest peacefully.

We know you're somewhere up there still talking trash, bragging about your sports teams, and probably reminding everybody why the Knicks could never quite measure up.

And knowing Andre, he probably already found somebody to argue with.

You were loved.
You are deeply missed.
And you will never be forgotten.

Rest peacefully, Andre Maurice Prince.

Until we meet again.