DEAR EDITOR:

For over 40 years there was a very selfless, kind and very merry Santa, who has left us with heavy hearts.

We lost Mike Watson, who has been Santa Claus in our Valley every Christmas season, listening to over 2,000 children’s requests for Santa’s presents every year.

Naturally, 100,000 children over the years were delighted to hear the “Ho-Ho-Ho” of a Santa gone way too early — who made children’s hearts light up and whose presence felt so special as he shared their secret requests.

A gentle man who has heard the requests of kids — who would hear a single child at someone’s house to 1,500 kids at The Lake Club with the same robust enthusiasm.

We are all better off because of this wonderful Santa who took so much pride bringing smiles to kids and parents throughout our valley.

We thank you Mike (“Santa” ) Watson for 40 plus years to our Valley’s children.

Rest in peace.

MIKE WALSH

Girard