Tributes paid to 'best ice cream man ever'

As well as a much-loved ice cream man, Steve Merry was also an artist and had a "love for life", his family said

Tributes have been paid to "the best ice cream man ever" who served a neighbourhood for more than 40 years.

Steve Merry was fondly known as Steve Super Scoop by friends, family and neighbours in the Highfields area of Leicester.

Mr Merry, who retired in 2017, bought his first van in the 1970s and met his wife Champa on his ice cream run.

He died at the age of 73 on 25 July following a short illness.

Mr Merry, who had two children, Samantha and Thomas, was known as "the best ice cream man ever" and a "true gentleman" in the community, his family said.

His daughter described him as a "doting father and husband".

"Dad was Merry by name and merry by nature," Miss Merry added.

In the days after his death, Miss Merry said her family had received floods of messages and comments on social media from people who "loved" him.

"It's been a real comfort to us. We did know he was loved but the outpouring has been very personal and very overwhelming," she said.

"We were always so proud of him and we're even more proud now."

The Merrys said they were a tight-knit family, and had spent a month together in India earlier this year

Mr Merry was born in Leicester in 1951 and grew up in the Goodwood area of the city.

He was a "bit of a hippie in his youth", Miss Merry said, and had a passion for art and travel.

After backpacking and hitchhiking around Europe, Mr Merry visited India with friends and "fell in love" with the country.

He decided to start selling ice creams in the 1970s after he returned from his travels.

It was an idea inspired in part by his own sweet tooth, which his daughter said he got from his own father, who was a sweet factory worker.

It was on his ice cream runs he met his wife, who he married in 1981, and from whom he became "inseparable".

Mrs Merry said: "We never ever had an argument in our lives. We were so blessed.

"I just can't imagine life without him."

Mr and Mrs Merry on their wedding day

Later in life, Mr and Mrs Merry began travelling around India together, having decided "life was too short".

They spent much of their time there, with their children visiting each year.

Miss Merry added: "People would say he was the sort of person you'd meet and you'd just feel better that day.

"He was never angry. There was something very special about that man.

"He was a really beautiful person."

'A generous soul'

Among his many customers over the years was Reena Purewal, who grew up in Egginton Street in Highfields.

The 45-year-old said anyone who grew up in the area in the 80s knew Mr Merry and described him as a "wonderful human".

"Steve stole the hearts of not just the young but the older generation too," she said.

"My gran could not speak a word of English but she managed to have a giggle with Steve.

"Steve knew all his customers by name, their likes and dislikes. You do not get many genuine people like Steve any more who made no judgements. He just spread love, smiles and generosity through his rounds."

Kishie Maru, 45, said Mr Merry's presence "was a cherished part of our childhoods".

"I remember the joy of hearing his van’s chimes, racing outside with my coins clutched tightly, eagerly awaiting a Flake 99. Those simple moments meant the world to us," he said.

"Steve unknowingly brought smiles to not just hundreds, but to the entire community of Highfields."

Cunary Melinda Deazle, 47, added: "[Mr Merry] was our wonderful neighbourhood ice cream man. He was such a generous soul; he would sometimes give a free ice-cream if a child did not have the money to buy one.

"I remember not having enough money to buy an ice cream and he let me have one for whatever money I had. He was a kind-hearted man."