Island Obituary – Edward (Eddie) Minghella

Over eight decades on the Island, Eddie worked for countless charities and civic causes.

Eddie was a prominent Island businessman and Isle of Wight councillor. He was also Chairman of Ryde Business Association, Chairman of Ryde Carnival Association, Chairman of Save the Children IW branch, Chairman of Governors for St Mary’s Primary School and Deputy Mayor of Ryde.

His many achievements included being made a Freeman of Ryde and he was a Life President of the Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the Island’s Catenians for 60 years, an international fellowship for Catholic men which provides support for many charities.

 The eldest of four children, Eddie was born in Glasgow in 1921. His mother was British, of Italian heritage, and his father, Antonio, hailed from Cassino in southern Italy.

The young family moved to Paris, when Eddie was only two, and where Antonio worked as an electrician, but in 1926 Antonio died of a fever, leaving his wife to return to relatives in Italy.

As the war began, Eddie and his younger brother, Vic, being British born, returned to the UK to work in an ice cream factory in Portsmouth. As a British subject, Eddie was called up and joined the Royal Army Medical Corps. On returning to Portsmouth after the war, he met Gloria and they married in St Mary’s Church in Ryde, just after Gloria’s 20th birthday, a marriage which lasted until Gloria’s death after almost 63 years.

Eddie began working in the family’s cafe, The Mayfayre, in the High Street, and invested his demob pay to create a small ice cream factory in the back. Over the years, the couple bought the building next door and then several more, off George Street, behind the Commodore Cinema. As time went on, Minghella ice cream won many awards both national and international, and became highly sought-after. It was to be found in prestigious stores including Harrods and Fortnum & Mason.

But Eddie and Gloria were known for more than their ice cream. They were both civic-minded, and served as independent councillors for decades with Eddie becoming Deputy Mayor of Ryde Borough Council in 1970.  His service to Ryde over more than 65 years was acknowledged in 2015 when he was made a Freeman of Ryde, giving him the right to drive sheep up the High Street!

No account of Edward’s life could fail to mention his family. Gloria was equally known for her contribution to civic life, and was a councillor for many years, Mayor of Medina in 1980, a magistrate, and a Deputy Lieutenant of the Island – efforts rewarded in 2007 with an MBE for services to the Island. Gloria died in 2014.

They had five children with eldest daughter, Gioia, running the ice cream business over many years, and serving as the Island’s High Sheriff in 2018/19. Their late son, Anthony, was known internationally for his work as a writer and film director, winning an Oscar for Best Director of the English Patient in 1997. Daughter Edana, who died in Italy in 2022, remained on the Island all her life thanks to her support of local arts ventures and her talent as a jazz singer. Loretta, was the first woman to serve as Master of Clare College, Cambridge, and Dominic, is a very successful writer and producer, famous for Doc Martin and Robin Hood.

Eddie spent the enjoyable last years of his life in St Vincents Nursing Home, Ryde, before being admitted to hospital following a fall. Funeral arrangements are yet to be finalised.