Chef Wayne G. Hooker

1955 - 2025

Springfield

Wayne Hooker, 70, a devoted husband, father, brother, gifted chef and pillar of the City of Springfield passed away on November 11th.

 

He was born in Hartford on August 1st, 1955 to the late Eugene and Tiny (Redding) Hooker. Wayne was a graduate of Weaver High in Hartford, and went on to study culinary arts at Goodwin College. He began his culinary journey as a caterer where he had the privilege to serve many renowned musicians as they visited Springfield. In 1996 he opened Chef Wayne's Big Mamou on Liberty St which he ran from 1996-2020.

 

In 2019, He partnered with his wife Lisa and Chef Ivan Felix to open Cajun on the Go.

Most recently he served as a consultant for The Mamou on Worthington St.

Besides his culinary talents, he will be remembered for his love of travel with his family and friends, as a selfless host and cook for all who knew him, his determined and self made personality, and as a force of nature.

 

 He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife Lisa Wyatt Hooker; his children Christopher Hooker and his wife Jamie Mongillo-Hooker, Shayla Brown, and Lauren Hooker.

 

He also leaves his siblings Lorraine Moultrie, Dwight Hooker, Sonja Hooker, and Donna Walker; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members, dear friends and colleagues.

 

His life will be celebrated with a public visitation from 1:00-6:00pm on Tuesday the 18th at Sampson's Chapel of the Acres, 21 Tinkham Rd in Springfield. A celebration of life for Chef Wayne will follow in Springfield in the Spring of 2026 with details forthcoming.

 

*as posted in the Springfield Republican.