Co-founder of Mister Softee passes away at age 98

Ho King-yuen, a co-founder of the renowned Mister Softee ice cream truck, passed away on January 23 in Perth, Australia, at the age of 98.

The family of Ho published an obituary on Tuesday, indicating that he passed away with his loved ones by his side and was laid to rest at Karrakatta Cemetery on February 8.

As the eldest son, Ho assumed the responsibility of caring for his family following the loss of his father during World War II. He later joined the auxiliary police force, where he worked his way up to the rank of inspector before transitioning into the business sector.

While at the Dairy Farm, Ho gained invaluable experience that benefited his business pursuits.

Inspired by a trip to London, Ho and his friends acquired the franchise rights for Mister Softee, bringing the first soft-serve ice cream truck to Hong Kong on Chinese New Year's Eve in 1970. 

The franchise ice cream factory was set up in Fo Tan, with a selling price of 50 HK cents per cone at the time.

The truck's distinctive appearance, along with playing the famous jingle from "The Blue Danube", has made it a cultural icon in the city, bringing sweet memories for generations of Hongkongers.

Ho eventually transferred the business and immigrated to Australia with his family upon retirement.

Mister Softee was initially founded by the William and James Conway brothers from the United States in 1956, and Hong Kong's Mister Softee was once renamed Mobile Softee when the franchise rights retracted in 2010.

It is reported that there are 14 ice cream trucks currently in operation, offering four iconic products– soft ice cream, nutty drumsticks, ice cream cups which are known as lotus cups and Jumbo orange sherbet cups.