Victor Callewaert Jr. may have been known for his signature pink shirt and his big smile, but underneath that folksy, fudge-selling charisma was a doggedly persistent businessman whose legacy can be counted in a number of landmarks lining Mackinac Islands Main Street.

Friends and longtime visitors are remembering Callewaert, who died May 8. He was 85.

Victor was a true Mackinac Island champion, said Tim Hygh, executive director of the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau. There wasnt a cause or significant island-wide effort that he didnt have a positive influence on. He was a huge presence that will be forever missed.

Callewaert was an island resident who also had homes in Grosse Pointe Shores and Florida. His familys island portfolio had expanded in the last several decades to include: the Island House Hotel, 1852 Grill Room, Ice House BBQ, Rybas Fudge Shops, Marys Bistro Draught House, Pancake House, Pine Cottage Bed & Breakfast, Seabiscuit Caf and Starbucks.

Last year, Callewaert and his family were honored for their decades of devotion to Island House Hotel, the Victorian grande dame of the islands Main Street. They were awarded the Legendary Family Historic Hotelier of the Year honor by the Historic Hotels of America. The effort to bring back that property was one of the hallmarks of his island career, right along with his love for a good bite of fudge.

In recent years, Vic could be seen cruising through downtown donned in his signature pink Rybas Fudge shirt and Michigan baseball cap, ever ready with a wink or a wave, Island House staff posted on social media following his death. As a steward of Island House Hotel, and enthusiastic fudge connoisseur, he will be fondly remembered for numerous contributions to the Mackinac Island community. It is our honor to carry the torch ensuring that Victors legacy is proudly carried into the future. Friends wishing to remember Victor are reminded to Think Pink, as he would say, and may contribute to Mackinac Islands St. Annes Catholic Parish or Medical Center; or the charity of ones choice. Services will be announced as details are available.

Ryba's has multiple locations on Mackinac Island. MLive photo.

Callewaerts Mackinac Island career actually became a possibility on a Detroit street corner in 1936 when his energetic newspaper hawking skills drew the attention of nearby sweets shop owner Harry Ryba. It wasnt long before Ryba hired the youngster, who later became his business partner and then son-in-law when Callewaert married his high school sweetheart, who was Rybas daughter, Rena. The two men sold their Mackinac Island fudge at big events, festivals and fairs. In 1960, they decided to match the location to the style of fudge, opening their first of four Rybas Fudge Shops on Mackinac Island. Their showmanship style of luring in customers by making fudge right next to the shops windows was a big draw, and Callewaert earned the island moniker of Fudge King. Customers loved seeing the process - and still do - and leave carrying little pink boxes of the sweet treat the island is known for.

But Callewaerts ambitions soon expanded beyond sugar and chocolate. He branched out into Mackinacs other mainstay: old hotels. He oversaw the renovation of the Lake View Hotel as well as teaming up with his brother-in-law, James Ryba, to buy the disheveled Island House Hotel in 1969 to save it from the wrecking ball. It reopened to guests in 1972 and was soon named a historic landmark by the state.

Throughout his decades on Mackinac, business leaders say Callewaert was known for mentoring young workers, some of whom later became business owners themselves. If he was persistent in business, he was relentless when it came to raising money for a good cause. This included the annual raffle tickets that benefitted the islands Lilac Festival and its Medical Center.

Residents would sometimes turn the other way when they saw him coming, knowing Victor would not take no for an answer when supporting worthy causes. His legacy includes financial support for the rebuilding of the Arch Rock steps in memory of his late wife, the reconstruction of Fort Holmes, and the Botanical Garden Walk to Arch Rock, tourism bureau staff said.

Callewaert was preceded in death by his wife, Rena, in 2009. He is survived by their five children, Mary, Todd, Ann, Amy and Gregg, and many grandchildren and other family members and friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Annes Catholic Parish or the Mackinac Island Medical Center.

Victor Callewaert and family in front of Island House Hotel on Mackinac Island. Photo provided by the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau.

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Mackinac Island hotel, business leader remembered for being islands champion - MLive.com