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NORTH FORK, NY — A beloved East End Santa who delighted children for generations left hearts broken when he passed away on Saturday.
Thomas E. Fox Sr. of Mattituck died on November 16, 2024, his obituary read. He was 80 years old. He is survived by his beloved wife, Helen Fox; son Thomas E. Fox Jr. and daughter Susan M. Benken (James); brother Bob Fox (Cathleen); sister Patricia Fox; and countless nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by siblings Albert, Hazel, Ernest, Donald, Betty, Mildred, Ethel, Shirley, David and George; and daughter-in-law Bobbi Jo Fox.
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“Tom loved his family and would do anything for them at any time,” his family wrote. “He worked in construction and was always tinkering with something at home. He was a pillar of the community, donating his time to play Santa for various stores and charities. He loved kids and enjoyed seeing the smiles, and sometimes scared, looks in their faces when meeting the big guy. Many parents used him as a threat to make their kids behave when they saw ‘Santa’. He always played the part with his signature red T-shirt, suspenders and Santa hat hanging out of his back pocket. He loved to travel, race cars with his brothers — Number 707 — and watch NASCAR. He was an all-around good man and will be missed by all that knew and loved him.”
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Reflecting on his father-in-law’s rich legacy, James Benken said Tom began his Santa journey in 1987, donning the red suit at Doroski’s Nursery in Southold on holiday weekends.
Tom, he said, has donated his time to countless charities and organizations over the years, including the Mattituck Chamber of Commerce, the Mattituck Fire Department, Santa Day in Mattituck — during which he rode in on the firetruck to the drugstore, now Walgreens, on a shiny firetruck, delighting children who lined up excitedly for photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
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Tom also brought Santa to the Flanders Fire Department, the Big Duck in Flanders, the Riverhead bonfire, the Riverhead Community Center, the Mattituck Historical Society, and other locations, making a flurry of stops during the festive holiday season.
“And the list goes on,” Benken said.
His father-in-law loved seeing the children’s faces light up with joy. “He always took the time to talk with the kids, and when they were ready to leave, Santa would say, ‘Don’t forget the chocolate chip cookies. And no store-bought cookies — only homemade!”
Tom’s Santa suit, Benken said, was lovingly sewn by his wife Helen and his sister-in-law Gloria.
Santa lived in Tom’s heart: He received letters and lists from children that he kept until the day he died.
“He touched so many children’s lives over the years,” Benken said.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, November 20 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home, located at 13805 Main Road in Mattituck.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, November 21 at 10 a.m. in the DeFriest-Grattan Chapel. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart R.C. Cemetery in Cutchogue.
In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital would be appreciated, his family said.
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