Victor Andre Callewaert

Victor Andre Callewaert, Jr., a long-time resident of Mackinac Island who will be remembered as one of the island’s biggest champions, passed away at age 85 on May 8, 2022. At the time of his passing he was a man at peace, grateful for the many blessings of his life, and surrounded by people who loved him.

A resident of Mackinac Island with homes in Grosse Pointe Shores and Stuart, Florida, Victor was born on Detroit’s east side in 1936 to Victor Andre and Eugenia Callewaert. Victor’s entrepreneurial spirit and love of hard work were evident at a young age. At age 11 he sold Detroit newspapers at the corner at Mack and Chalmers directly outside the donut shop owned by another entrepreneur, his future employer and father-in-law Harry Ryba who ultimately hired young Victor. That decision led to Victor meeting and marrying Harry’s daughter, Rena, who were together nearly 60 years, 52 as man and wife before her passing in 2009.

Victor’s legacy will be carried on by his children and grandchildren who survive him: Mary Callewaert (Sean O’Dell); Todd (Jennifer) Callewaert and their children, Andrew and William; Amy Callewaert and her children, Reese, Brooke, and grandson Tyler Ratliff; Ann (Les) Parrish and their children, Riley and Lillian; Gregg (Angel) Callewaert and their children, Eden and Max. He is also survived by his loving sister Margie (Sr. Anna Mary Callewaert-O’Meara, OCSO); in-laws Janis (Ryba) and Julius Deckert and Kevin Ryba; numerous nieces and nephews; and his beloved friend and soul mate for the past 10 years, Liz Boyd. In addition to his parents and wife, Victor was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Barbara Callewaert Ratliff, his dearly loved godparents, Joseph and Julia VerHoye and their daughter Eugenia (Jeanie), and members of the extended Ryba family.

A self-made successful businessman who enjoyed work over school, Victor attended Catholic grade school at St. John Berchmans Parish and Servite and Salesian Catholic high schools in Detroit, before graduating from Southeastern High School. He served two-years in the U.S. Army where he was stationed in California. After his honorable discharge Victor and Rena returned to Michigan where he considered careers in law enforcement and plumbing before returning to work with Ryba who directed his son-in-law to open a fudge shop on Mackinac Island in 1960.

As they say, the rest is history.

Victor will forever be known for Ryba’s Fudge, a brand that was synonymous with Victor due to his leadership and hard work.

In addition to helping bring Ryba’s Fudge to Mackinac Island, Victor helped renovate and expand the Lakeview and the Island House hotels. In 1988 Victor went his own way, amassing a business portfolio on the Island that includes the historic Island House Hotel, the Pancake House, Starbucks, the Seabiscuit, Mary’s Bistro and Draught House, and Ryba’s Fudge all of which continue to be owned by the Callewaert family. In addition to his Mackinac Island holdings, Victor’s portfolio included Starbucks’ coffee shops in Chicago and fudge sales at auto shows and other public events.

Hundreds of thousands of Mackinac Island visitors have experienced a bit of Island culture thanks to Victor and his ability to know what made for an enjoyable Island visit. In his younger days he could be seen making fudge in the fudge shop window and in later years, taking a bite of ice cream dressed in his signature pink shirt and brown slacks.

Victor served as a mentor and employer to thousands of young people who made their way to the Island for summer employment and often boasted that many have remained personal friends with several ultimately owning their own businesses.

In addition to managing his business portfolio, Victor gave his time and talent to help make Mackinac Island the place it is today. He was ruthless when it came to selling raffle tickets for the Medical Center Auction and the tourism bureau’s Lilac Festival. People would often turn the other way when they saw him coming, knowing Victor would not take ‘no’ for an answer when it came to supporting worthy causes. His Island legacy includes financial support for the rebuilding of the Arch Rock Steps in memory of his late wife, the rebuilding of Ft. Holmes and the Botanical Garden Walk to Arch Rock.

In additional to having served on the Medical Center advisory board, Victor was a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Parish on Mackinac Island, the Mackinac Island Department of Public Works board of directors, and the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in St. Clair Shores with Msgr. George Michalek officiating. A public burial will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 24th at St. Ann’s Cemetery on Mackinac Island.

Friends wishing to remember Victor are reminded to “Think Pink” and may contribute to St. Anne’s Catholic Parish, 6836 Huron Road, Mackinac Island, Michigan 49757; the Mackinac Island Medical Center, 7474 Market St., Mackinac Island, MI 49757; or the charity of one’s choice.