The last surviving member of the family who created HB ice cream 80 years ago, William Hughes, has died at the age of 86.
Formally of Hazelbrook Farm, Rathfarnham, Co Dublin and Annestown, Co Waterford, Mr Hughes is survived by his wife Georgina and three children, Peter, Jane and Simon
Following his appointment to the family-run business of Hughes Brothers (HB) in 1950 and his work as assistant managing director from 1958, Mr Hughes oversaw HB's emergence as one of the dominant forces in the industry, enjoying a market share of 80 per cent.
After Royal Bank of Scotland took control, Mr Hughes was the only member of the Hughes family to hold any shares in the company.
Some of HB's most acclaimed creations include the Wibbly Wobbly Wonder, the Choc Ice, the Brunch, the Iceberger, the Chilly Willy, the Little Devil and Little Angel range and the Cornetto. The company is today owned by the multinational Unilever group.
First produced in 1926 to use up surplus milk, HB produced its first sliceable one-pint ice-cream brick in 1933, before the Hughes family sold the company to US multinational WR Grace. Mr Hughes later became managing director of Hughes Dairy in 1969.
He died last Friday and his funeral has taken place privately.