For a record 67 years, Massachusetts ice cream man has served up smiles

Published 5:30 pm Monday, August 31, 2015

PEABODY, Mass. — Allan Ganz is the Cal Ripken of ice cream.

Ganz was recently awarded a Guinness World Record for running his ice cream truck up and down the Massachusetts North Shore for 67 years, a longer documented career in push-up pops and ice cream sandwiches than anyone, ever. 

His wide selection, a well-maintained truck, the ability to withstand “Yankee Doodle” countless times, and genuine rapport with customers have all contributed to this global recognition.

“I’m all over Facebook,” he explains cheerfully. He’s been featured on Boston television and the Food Channel. Guinness has sent a poster, which is now on the side of his truck, certifying his record.

Of course, you might doubt there is a world record for selling ice cream from a truck. But Ganz points out there was a Guinness American record, 30 years, and a European record, 48 years in Italy. Ganz has smashed both. By now he’s on his 68th year. 

“I broke my own record,” he laughs. 

Recognition from Guinness came after a friend discovered a category for longest career for an ice cream man. It was evident Ganz had it beat. But he was obliged to convince Guinness, sending licenses, photos and documents. Much like baseball’s Ripken, who played in an unprecedented 2,632 consecutive games, this record will be hard to top. 

Getting an early start was vital. Ganz, who is now 78, grew up in Everett, Massachusetts moving to neighboring West Peabody a little more than 50 years ago. At age 10 he was already riding the ice cream truck with dad, Louis. (Louis didn’t give up his truck until age 86.) 

“When I started with my dad,” Allan laughs, “ice creams cost a nickel and a dime.” 

Love & ice cream

Ganz kept on going even after landing a job as a clerk with the post office. Wife Rosalyn stepped in to help. 

“I met her at an ice cream parlor,” he smiles.

At times, she drove the truck during the day, and Allan took over after his regular work day ended.  

Massachusetts State Rep. Ted Speliotis, who represents Danvers and part of Peabody, will honor Ganz’s achievement at the Statehouse in September. He calls it “a remarkable feat.” When out campaigning in West Peabody, he nods, “I have one eye over my shoulder because I know at some point Mr. Ganz is going to be there.”

“I enjoy the kids,” says Ganz. He can point to moms bringing their youngsters to the truck,  and remember not only when those moms were kids lined up for Popsicles, but when their moms were coming for Drumsticks.

 “It puts a good smile on their faces,” he says. “That’s one reason I do it.” He knows some customers well enough to let them run a tab.

For that matter, not all the customers pay. “I have a few dogs.” They come running at the sound of music and “they get (dog appropriate) ice cream, too.”

Kids are still kids

Kids haven’t changed much over the years, Ganz says, although they are less likely to be outside playing. On really hot days it’s fruitless to play the music because boys and girls are indoors, staring at video screens, air conditioning drowning out the sounds outside.

It’s seasonal work, Ganz explains, starting in April and ending in October. That allows him to winter in Florida. You can’t get rich selling ice cream, he cautions, but the profits help in retirement. He puts in seven days a week, traveling up to 70 miles per day. Now he sticks to the serpentine streets of suburban West Peabody.

Inside the truck is a freezer with 66 varieties of ice cream novelties, a slush and a popcorn machine and a shelf full of candies. He sells T-shirts, too. Water is also a big draw. 

It all hums thanks to a multitude of batteries. He plugs the freezer into an outlet overnight. 

“My biggest problem is kids growing up,” he says. “Then there’s only business when the grandchildren show up.”