Saugerties Sawyer Motors owner Bob Siracusano has purchased a Good Humor ice-cream truck so he can hand out free ice cream to kids at community events. Siracusano said he’s been looking for a Good Humor ice-cream truck for five years. He finally found a 1967 Ford from a private collector in Chicago. Along with Ward Backhaus, who owns a local auto body repair shop, Siracusano went to Illinois last month and bought the vehicle. “The gentleman I bought it from said it took six years to restore it,” Siracusano said. “It has all original parts, and it runs like a top.”
Siracusano calls his truck the, “Real McCoy,” and the truck now bears an Illinois license plate that reads “GDHUMOR.” He said he plans to take it out to special events like last weekend’s Andrew Mullen’s Fishing Derby in Saugerties.
The truck will be attending several other events, including the Sawyer Motors Car Show on July 11. Ray Tucker, an employee, will probably be driving, as Siracusano will be busy with organization and operation of the show, which raises money for local non-profit groups and needy families. The money is raised through fees from presenters and businesses, as admission to the show is free.
The ice cream Siracusano distributes is genuine Good Humor — the brand emblazoned on the truck — which he has a local store purchase for him. The chimes and music that used to get children running outside to buy ice cream are working.
Siracusano said he has a few fundraisers he is considering going to before the car show, but he’s still working out which ones he will be at.
Will he still have time to sell cars? “I have a good staff for that,” he said.