The founder of the Norfolk artisan ice cream company Ronaldo Ices has died aged 73.
Simon Edye founded the firm in the early 1980s with a simple ambition - to make people happy.
Frustrated by the lack of real dairy ice cream available to wholesalers at the time, he enrolled on a short course at Reading University to learn about the craft himself.
Using fresh milk, double cream and real fruit, he set out to produce ice cream that rejected artificial shortcuts in favour of quality and authenticity.
That founding ethos went on to define the company, which has grown into a well-known name across Norfolk and beyond.
Mr Edye himself became a familiar sight, serving from Ronaldo’s traditional ice cream barrow at local fairs and festivals, and later from a Victorian-style chestnut barrow during the winter months.
He was also a regular presence on Norwich's London Street.
Away from his business life, Mr Edye was a committed sportsman whose achievements inspired many.
After taking up running in his early 40s, he joined Norwich Road Runners and completed several marathons, recording a personal best of under three hours and winning multiple age-group medals.
He later turned his hand to triathlons and became a founding member of the Tri-Anglia Triathlon Club.
Competing as a veteran athlete, he represented Great Britain and qualified for the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii in 1999, 2004 and 2009.
In 1996, Mr Edye survived a serious road traffic accident while cycling, sustaining a life-threatening head injury.
Following extensive treatment at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, he made a remarkable recovery and returned to competitive sport, once again qualifying for the Ironman World Championships.
Ronaldo Ices will continue trading under the leadership of his son and co-owner, Chris Edye.
Mr Edye died on Saturday, January 3, while undergoing treatment for cancer.
His family described him as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend whose optimism and love of life remained undimmed until the end.
A spokesman for the company said: “He was cherished by all who knew him. He exuded positivity and a profound joy for life right to the end.
“We are all heartbroken by this loss but want to acknowledge a brilliant life lived, and how very lucky we all were to know him."
Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.
The family has asked that donations be made, in lieu of flowers, to the Norfolk cancer charity Big C or to Tri-Anglia Triathlon Club via https://simonedye.muchloved.com/
Share