Technically, today’s column should be called “Off the job,’’ given that the subject, longtime mall Santa Wendell W. Ritchie of Longmeadow is finally getting some well-deserved time off.
Ritchie is so legit he has official “Santa’’ vanity plates on his red Dodge Caravan. Not “SantaC’’ — that sounded too much like Zantac, the heartburn medicine — not “Santa3,’’ or even “Clauz.’’’
He’s been spotted as the guy in the red suit for more than 16 years around Springfield, including at the Eastfield Mall, Holyoke Mall, Eastern States Exposition’s 1800s village, and Bright Nights at Forest Park. A retired computer programmer, Ritchie, 72, has had thousands of children sit on his lap — “some with loaded diapers.’’ The Globe spoke with Ritchie about what it’s like to be the jolly old elf every Christmas season.
“I have an authentic white beard, spectacles, and the requisite belly. This whole Santa thing started over a decade ago when my wife noticed kids peeking around corners at me, whether it was the supermarket or a restaurant. I was oblivious to the whole thing. Then one Christmas, my wife gave me a Santa suit. I was like, ‘What am I supposed to do with this?’ She sent me out to visit the neighbors on Christmas Eve. The first house I visited, the little girl opened the door, turned, and immediately ran up to her bedroom. I never saw her again that night. I visited a couple more kids down the street and kind of enjoyed the whole thing. Then I saw a ‘help wanted’ ad for Santa, and that was that.
“I’m not the usual elfin character that Santa is supposed to be — I’m 6’5’’ and 290 pounds — but I noticed that once the red suit is on, as far as kids are concerned, I’m Santa. I’ve had some mobility issues lately, so I’ve unfortunately had to cut back on private parties, which require more standing.
“Santas can earn $175 an hour or more, but I have never taken money for my work. I contribute whatever I make to the Springfield Rescue Mission. I do this for very selfish reasons — it’s a real upper for me to brighten someone’s day and bring back the wonder and magic of Christmas.
“When kids sat on my lap this year, they asked for Hatchimals, drones, video game consoles, and toys and games. Some asked for dogs, cats, and rabbits and an occasional ferret. One little girl, whose dad had passed away, asked for him to come back. What could I say? I answered, ‘I think he’s in heaven now and watching over you.’ There’s no good answer you can really ever give. I also had a 50-year-old woman playfully sit on my lap with some friends, but then she came back with tears in her eyes and said, ‘You know, that was the first time I ever sat on Santa’s knee.’
“One year, my cat died during the holiday season, and I was very unhappy about it. The day it happened, I went and sat in Santa’s chair as usual, and somehow, although I never said anything, the kids knew I was sad. They reacted to me in a more subdued way. There must have been something in my face or eyes.
“If you ask me, ‘Is there really a Santa Claus?’ oh, yes, there is a Santa Claus, and he lives in your heart. As long as you keep that there, it will make you happy, even during the darkest times. Santa lives, and it’s not just in me.’’
Cindy Atoji Keene can be reached at cindy@cindyatoji.com.
