Local Hero Rob Sobolewski Delivers Ice Cream at 80

For 17 summers, Branford native Rob Sobolewski has been hustling the streets of Branford delivering frozen treats to the town’s hot and hungry residents. Frequenting beach neighborhoods, Sobolewski who is 80, tells us that he competes with two other delivery guys for sales. “We try to out maneuver the other guy,” he said at a recent stop in the Indian Neck section of town.

A graduate, class of ’49, Sobolewski as you might have guessed, had another career before hawking Snow Cones and Good Humor bars. After graduating BHS, enlisting and serving in the Marine Corps, marrying his high school sweetheart and graduating from University of California Los Angles (’59), Sobolewski worked for NBC in California.

For a lifetime of good work ethic, speedy delivery of cold treats on hot days and for replacing a customer’s ice cream at no charge after it was dropped on the ground, we salute and thank you, Mr. Sobolewski!

Q: So how long did you work for NBC?
A: 31 years, two months and 15 days. But who's counting?

Q: Wow. What did you do there?
A: [worked in] Videotape library operations.

Q: So what’s your favorite part of your new job?
A: The selling part, especially to the kids because they are so simple and innocent.

Q: What’s the most popular ice cream sold?
A: Any of the faces. Sponge Bob is probably the most popular.

Q: What’s your favorite song to play while driving to get the patrons’ attention?
A: I don't have any songs at all. I just have the bells and that's what I like to use.

Q: How does this compare to your job with NBC?
A: This has more stress. It's competitive trying to get to the place on time. With NBC I had a secretary and a business manager.

Q: Who’s the most famous person you ever met while at NBC?
A: Jim Nabors.

Q: How do you feel now as the “Ice Cream Man?”
A: Well, I guess I feel like Jim Nabors. Very successful in my new career. I am trying to reach 31 years then that would equal NBC.