Bill Foulkrod · Raleigh, NC

Santa Bill was a member of the Triangle Santa Buddies for several years and also a member of the Long Leaf Pine Santas of the South East. He did private parties, corporate and family events.

Santa Bill passed away on June 10, 2025.

Faymarie Hansel · Willow Springs, NC

In 2018 Faymarie told her husband, Santa Bob Hansel, that she wanted to go with Santa and he needed to get her a dress. So he got her a dress, and in 2019 she went with him to all of his Santa events. In 2020 she was a little too sick to go, but she was so looking forward to 2021 and wanted a new and better dress. She loved being Mrs. Claus.

Mrs. Claus died on January 31, 2022.

Ellis Stephens · Fuquay-Varina, NC

Santa Ellis retired in 2006 from Lucent Technologies after 36 years. "For 45 years my hobby was officiating sporting events. I love being around kids (they keep me young). My wife, Sondra, joined me in 2012 as Mrs. Claus and we are now a team bringing Joy, Love and Peace whenever the door opens to us." For the 2014 season the Stephens converted their den into a special setting they called "Santa's Secret Cabin" for unique and magical photo experiences.

Santa Ellis died on June 4, 2021.

Charles L. Easton · Oxford, NC

Santa Charlie was an early member of the Triangle Santa Buddies. He did parades and home visits, and was a "tag team Santa" at Crabtree Valley Mall with his longtime Santa Buddy, Santa Dwight Compton of Cedar Grove. His custom red corduroy suit was made by a local Oxford seamstress.

Santa Charlie departed on April 4, 2019.

Dwight Compton · Cedar Grove, NC

Santa Dwight was a founding member of the Triangle Santa Buddies, with over twenty-five years of experience. He was a mall Santa in Durham and Raleigh.

Santa Dwight departed on November 1, 2018.

George McKellar

Santa George was a founding member of the Triangle Santa Buddies. He received his diploma in SantaClausology from the International University of Santa Claus.

He worked in local malls, parades, photo studios, country clubs, the Pullen Park Train, Raleigh's Celebration of Lights and private appearances. He was quiet and easygoing. He spent his summers as an instructor at Boy Scout summer camp.

Santa George departed on December 9, 2017.

Rick McLean

Santa Rick joined the Triangle Santa Buddies in 2013, but he had been doing Santa work for over 30 years, having started as a young man. His interest in and knowledge of sports had him being Santa to professional clubs, teams and corporate boards all along the East Coast. He enjoyed using accessories when working as Santa, and was generous in sharing them with his Triangle Santa Buddies.

Santa Rick departed on September 19, 2016.

Mike Forbes

A chef, restaurateur, grandfather, Knight of Columbus and professional Santa Claus, Santa Mike joined the Triangle Santa Buddies in 2013. His Santa philosophy shows in some of his sayings: "Christmas is a state of mind, enjoy it." "No distance is too far to make you smile." "Bringing joy to others is a way of life." Santa Mike brought "holiday cheer to the young and less young."

Santa Mike departed on March 2, 2015.

Howard Weaver · Pittsboro, NC

Santa Howard Weaver was a longtime member of the Triangle Santa Buddies. A carpenter, he built his own sleigh and a couple of plywood reindeer for his Santa set at the Lowes Foods at Chatham Crossing. He was Pittsboro's parade Santa in his red pickup truck, and did other special events. A beloved Boy Scout leader for Brown's Chapel UMC in Pittsboro, his kindness, care, compassion, joy, hope and delight in life were the Santa spirit he shared with children of all ages.

Santa Howard departed on January 13, 2015.

Pete (Paul) Leary · Raleigh, NC

Santa Pete joined the Triangle Santa Buddies in 2011. His other character was the Leprechaun in Raleigh's St. Patrick's Day Parade. A printer by trade, he was a singer, storyteller, songwriter, guitarist and musician who produced three albums of original music. He founded and led the Democratic Men's Group of Raleigh, and led conferences, programs and activities of Unitarian Universalism, including the rebuilding of the Shelter Neck Unitarian Universalist Camp in Pender County, NC, after the 1999 hurricane and flood. He was a regular at O'Malley's Irish Pub.

Santa Pete departed on December 23, 2014.

Mark Currin

Santa Mark was an active Triangle Santa Buddy for several years. Challenged by debilitating diabetes, he continued to do Santa work. A year before his last sleigh ride, one of his churches recognized him for 30 years of service as its Santa. His positive outlook and twinkling eyes informed his Santa character. His craftsman's skill showed in his dental prosthetics business and in his fine furniture.

Thank you, Santa Mark, for sharing the spirit of Christmas through the presence of Santa Claus.

Santa Mark departed on June 28, 2014.

Ben Tankersley

In the summer of 2013, at the age of 94, Santa Ben was recognized as "the oldest living Triangle Santa Buddy." He recited and pledged the Santa Oath and sang the TSB anthem, "Here Comes Santa Claus." After that, every hospice visit with Santa AL was a TSB meeting.

He had done Santa work and voicing in northern California before moving to North Carolina.

Santa Ben departed on September 24, 2013.

Joe Leffer

Santa Joe was also known as "Mr. Tricky" and "Professor Stumbledorf." An internationally recognized magician, he was a master illusionist, a developer of magic tricks, the founding member of the Kidabra magicians' association, and owned a magic shop in Ohio. Always an entertainer, he renamed his funeral a "Fun-eral" and sponsored a party at a local steak house for the occasion. Four Santas were present at his "Fun-eral," where his fellow magicians broke his "magic wand" in recognition that the magic is in the man, not in the stick.

Santa Joe departed on September 30, 2012.