Gerry The Ice Cream Man was a very well-loved man in Royston. As our readers will know, he tragically passed away in an accident in Royston on Monday, 23rd June 2025.
We wish to pay our own tribute, captured in our choice of front cover image, to this kind and generous man, who will be very much missed in our community.
Gerald ‘Gerry’ Rowe was born on 16th January 1960 in Hertford, and he moved to Royston with his wife Sandra in 1981.
He began selling ice cream in Royston instantly, and since then continued to serve the streets of Royston, always with a smile on his face.
Ice cream was his passion; he loved nothing more than waving to the children as he drove past them and hearing his name being chanted from the streets. He was a generous man, frequently giving to local charities, sponsoring his granddaughter’s football teams and the Ladies Football Team and would go out of his way to help anyone. His van became a fixture in Priory Memorial Gardens in the summer months, and at every note-worthy event taking place in Royston.
Gerry was husband to Sandra, father to Gavin, Glenn and Jo, father-in-law to Heidi and Russell, Grandad to Jacob, Georgia, Harry, Lily and Amelia, a brother, uncle and a very dear friend to so many.
His family wish to share how emergency services were on the scene immediately following the accident, with several ambulances, police, fire service and an air ambulance which landed in St Mary’s School field, but sadly they were unable to revive Gerry. As a family, they would like to thank all the emergency services for their rapid response and efforts, and would also like to thank a close family friend for all his efforts on that Monday morning.
Gerry will be sorely missed by his family and friends, and by the Royston community as a whole, as became so apparent from the 100s of messages and comments on Facebook.
Gerry’s family have been deeply overwhelmed and comforted by the numerous messages and the support of the local community and they would like to give their thanks for all of the messages that you’ve shared. They would like to extend particular thanks to the Royston Fire Service; with a brand new fire engine named ‘Gerry’ he will certainly continue to serve the community which is extremely heart-warming.
The messages all over Facebook say it all – he really was a loved man in Royston.
Rest in Peace Gerry.
To keep in touch and share your stories with the family and community follow https://bit.ly/GerryTheIceCreamMan on Facebook
