Customers support ‘legendary’ ice cream man injured in crash
MILFORD — The city is living up to its nickname as “the small city with the big heart” in fundraising efforts for a legendary, beloved ice cream man who was hospitalized last week after a serious automobile crash involving the truck and another vehicle.
Police said Richie Anderson was traveling north on Orange Avenue when he was hit at a Tintersection by a vehicle going east on Pullman Drive. The front ends collided, police said. The other driver did not seek medical care; the investigation is ongoing.
Anderson has been a fixture selling novelty ice creams for decades in neighborhoods and at public venues such as ballfields, the city marina, beaches, Eisenhower Park and special events.
He’s patient, he’s friendly, he serves dog-friendly ice cream, he sometimes lets kids stand in the serving window of his boxy truck and if someone comes up short on cash, it’s not a problem — they get the ice cream anyway, customers say.
Allison Berlingo, 40, remembers Richie’s Ice Cream truck as a child, and has set up a GoFundMe to help her recovering favorite ice cream man.
Her kids, ages 10 and 3, are second generation fans – at this point Anderson even attends some of their family get-togethers.
“He’s laid back, easygoing, friendly. If you have the time he’ll tell you he loves animals,” Berlingo said.
Her 3-year-old son and their dog are at the window looking for Anderson before she even hears the truck’s bell, Berlingo said.
Berlingo hasn’t been in touch with Anderson since the crash June 29, but has learned from a close friend of Anderson that he is talking and was concerned with the inventory in his truck staying cold. Berlingo believes the truck is a 1976 model.
Matt Arciuolo, owner of Arciuolo’s Shoe Store, is 31 and remembers Anderson from when he was in Little League.
“I only know him as well as you can know an ice cream man,” Arciuolo said. “He’s been a fixture as long as I can remember. He’s warm, engaging and he loves kids.”
Arciuolo said he’s heard from many that Anderson gives a pass to kids short on cash.
“I was shocked when I heard he got in an accident,” said Arciuolo, who is helping to spread word of Berlingo’s GoFundMe campaign on his popular shoe store’s Facebook page.
Resident Jeffrey McPadden said Anderson has been good to his Bayview neighborhood.
“He is somewhat a legend around town. He has been doing the ice cream gig for decades.” McPadden said. “Always very nice to us in Bayview.”
Not knowing details of Anderson’s condition, Berlingo wrote in the GoFundMe: “The money may be needed for medical bills, but my true wish is that Richie can heal from this accident and get out there doing what he loves to do so much. I can just hear him now at the ball park saying to me, ‘Allison, what time do you think the baseball game is wrapping up? Maybe I’ll swing by Gulf Beach and come back when the game ends.’”
She continued with a vignette about Anderson and wrote, “I surely hope there are more tomorrow’s ahead with Richie, our favorite ice cream man.”
So far the Milford community and beyond has in a few short days raised more than $7,000 and climbing.
“I’m not surprised – I’m overwhelmed for sure,” Berlingo said.
Berlingo wrote on the donation page: “Right now, Richie asks for privacy, which I’m sure we all understand. Thank you all again for your continued shares and prayers.”