Music and Memories: The Andrews Family

Black and white portrait. A woman in a dress, and a man in a suit stand next to each other on a doorstep. A large window can be seen behind the man.

Albert and Ella Andrews outside their store at 208 New Gower Street, St. John’s. Circa 1940s.

George (later known as Albert) Andrews was born Ablain Andrea. He arrived with William Michael and Kallem Bacile Noah at Ellis Island, New York in 1887 from their village of Hadath el Jebbeh in northern Lebanon.

The three travelled by train to Halifax. Albert Andrews peddled trinkets and established a store in New Glasgow for a while. Then, he followed Michael to Newfoundland. Albert ran a store in Harbour Grace and then moved to St. John’s, where he and his wife, Ella Andrews (Autley Elia), set up a store at 208 New Gower Street.

Black and white streetscape. Row houses feature City Television and A.E. Andrews signs. Two women walk down the sidewalk in front of the buildings wearing coats and pants.

Albert Andrews Store on Andrews range, St. John’s. Circa 1970s.

Albert and Ella had a large and boisterous family. Albert Jr. became a St. John’s City Councillor. He also ran the A.E. Andrews store on “Andrews Range” on New Gower Street. Their son Chris or “Chrissie” was a popular musician best known for his big band. The band regularly performed at the American military base at Fort Pepperrell. Chris shared the stage with Frank Sinatra during that time. He was invited to travel to the States, but he declined the offer. Daughters Sally, Seville, and Mercedes married American servicemen during World War II and moved to the United States. Daughter Julie was known as “the songbird of the playground” and studied at Juilliard music school. She later settled in New Jersey.

Chrissie Andrews Band playing Baby Don’t Care. Enjoy this audio clip with lyrics (EN).

Chris married Nora Ryan. They lived for a year or so with his mother on New Gower Street. Their oldest children had an exciting early childhood at the house on New Gower Street. They visited their Lebanese relatives, played with the 25 lb cat which lounged on a salt beef barrel at their Uncle Albert’s store, got weighed on the meat scales at Casey’s Meat Market, and visited the many grocery stores in the areas for candies and candy apples.

Black and white interior. Three men with musical instruments including a piano, and drum kit. The men and their instruments are in front of a large curtain.

Chris Andrews’ small band.

Chrissie’s love of music and theatre passed on to his children: Terri is a performer, producer, and director; Patricia has operated an acting school for two decades; and Johnny, “The Singing Mountie,” is a singer/actor.

Kalleem Noah – A Founding Father Michael (Elia ibn Mika’el) Family