The death of the former owner of a legendary seaside Italian ice cream parlour has sparked a flood of affectionate tributes from family and friends.

Dozens attended the recent funeral of Ben Macari who for decades ran his cafe in Mortimer Street, Herne Bay, and a seafront kiosk - carrying on a family business started by his grandfather in 1931.

He died aged 74 following a short illness and his eventful, fun-filled life and times were shared at the service at Thanet Crematorium on May 29.

He was a popular and well-known character in the town, renowned for his mischievous wit and is remembered as a “top bloke” and “a great boss” by friends and former employees.

The Macari family, including Ben’s cousins Riccardo and Jean, had two cafes including the one seafront, which is now in the ownership of the Hassan brothers and renamed Makcari’s.

For two decades, Ben ran the parlour in Mortimer Street which was a go-to venue for locals as well as many holidaymakers, serving the best milkshakes and knickerbocker glories. He also had a popular seafront ice cream kiosk.

Following Ben’s death, many of his former customers have been reminiscing about their days in his cafe.

Writing on the Herne Bay and Herne Remembered Group Facebook page, Janet Raes says: “I spent hours in Macaris in the 60s where Ben would make me a blackcurrant milkshake and give me change for the jukebox.

“We would sit on the sea wall opposite all summer long and enjoy the best of ice creams.”

Ellenor Dawn adds: “The coolest place to be in the Bay in the 80s. A gentleman that will be remembered fondly.”

Good friend Andy Maybourn says Ben would be remembered for his “rapier-like wit” and dry sense of humour with his many contributions to the group.

Dad-of-two Ben would eventually give up his cafe due to the long unsociable hours and opened a nursing home before retiring.

But he remained a familiar and popular character in the town he loved.

In his retirement, Ben’s hobby was model-making and he constructed incredibly detailed scale models, including one of the seafront Macaris, complete with scooter boys and Herne Bay clocktower.

He had been enjoying life in Birchington with his partner Pat when he fell ill.

Despite undergoing treatment, he died in hospital on April 22, leaving his daughters Lianna and Nadia heartbroken.

At his funeral, they shared fond memories of their dad with family and friends, including enjoying family bike rides and playing badminton, tennis and table tennis.

“As small children, he built us a go-cart out of an old lawnmower, stuck ice cream cones on our heads and entered us into the Herne Bay Carnival, advertising Macari’s ice cream with buckets and t-shirts saying ‘often licked, never beaten’,” they recalled.

They also praised his talented creativity, which regularly kept him busy in his shed, crafting something new on his wood lathe.

He was said to be an amazing grandad to his four grandchildren, who he doted on.

“Dad had us all believing that he would still have at very least another 10 years in him with his regular bike riding, badminton and choir,“ said his daughters.

“He took on his prognosis with such positivity and stayed true to his character until the end… self-assured, positive, and love for life.”