Every summer afternoon in West Chester, Ohio, the familiar sound of a cheerful jingle echoed through neighborhoods. Children would drop their toys, run outside, and shout, “It’s the Ice Cream Man!”
Behind the wheel was 75-year-old Tom Rinaldi, a retired middle school history teacher who had traded chalkboards for chocolate swirls. After his wife, Linda, passed away from breast cancer in 2009, Tom struggled with loneliness. One day, while cleaning out their garage, he found his late father-in-law’s vintage Good Humor truck — dusty but still drivable. With a deep breath and a flicker of inspiration, Tom decided to restore it.
He spent six months fixing up the vehicle, painting it bright white with red stripes and installing a new freezer. In the spring of 2010, he got his license to sell food, stocked up on supplies, and began driving a regular route through the town.
At first, people were curious. Why would a retired teacher drive an ice cream truck?
But soon, they realized it wasn’t about the ice cream. It was about Tom.
He knew every child by name. He asked how their baseball games went, remembered siblings’ birthdays, and always had a kind word. If a kid came with no money, Tom would wink and say, “Put it on your tab,” even though there was no such thing.
Parents started coming too — not just for snow cones, but for conversation. Tom became a fixture of the community, a comforting presence during busy, stressful lives.
By 2015, his route had grown so popular that local news outlets featured him. A Cincinnati TV station called him “The Sweetheart of Summer.” He was even invited to ring the opening bell at a local Little League game.
In 2018, Tom turned 80. That June, the town secretly planned a surprise. On a sunny Saturday morning, as Tom started his usual route, he was met with something unexpected: a parade.
Hundreds of residents lined the street — kids waving handmade signs, families cheering, fire trucks and police cars flashing their lights in celebration. Local businesses handed out free treats, and the mayor presented Tom with a key to the town.
Tears filled his eyes as he stood in front of the crowd and said, “I never thought I’d find purpose again after Linda. But you all gave me a second chance.”
Tom continued his route every summer until 2021, when health issues forced him to retire. He passed away peacefully in his sleep in April 2023 at age 85.
His funeral was attended by hundreds. Kids who once bought cones from him now brought their own children. A local band played “You Are My Sunshine” — Tom’s favorite song.
Today, West Chester honors him with an annual “Tommy Treats Day” every June. The original truck is on display at the town museum, and local volunteers continue his tradition of giving free ice creams to kids in need.
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