Death Robs Popular Santa Cass Of Record
Illawarra Mercury
Tuesday October 28, 1997
Wally Cass has been robbed of his chance to equal a world record 54th appearance as Santa Claus at next month's CRM-Springhill Christmas Tree Club party.
As always, the popular retired Port Kembla BHP employee was looking forward to donning the red and white and bringing cheer to hundreds of kids.
But sadly, Mr Cass died at his home last Friday.
He was 85.
Mr Cass first took on the role of Santa in 1943 and has never missed a Christmas party since.
"Being Santa was his life ... he thought the world of kids and his family," CRM-Springhill Christmas Tree Club secretary Cec Ainsworth said yesterday.
"He was the main man."
Mr Cass' daughter, Faye Olds of Griffiths, said every year her father looked forward to playing his role as Santa.
"It was the highlight of his year," she said.
"He was a very shy person but once he became Santa Claus he was a different personality.
"Everybody loved him because he was so sincere."
Mrs Olds said her late mother Dot and, later, Mrs Olds' sister Pam joined Mr Cass for many years as Mrs Claus at the Christmas parties.
"My mother was the prettiest little woman with snowy white hair," she said.
"They looked great together."
It is believed a Santa from Canada holds the world record of 54 years.
In an interview with The Wollongong Advertiser last year, Mr Cass said being Santa was a "fantastic feeling".
"The kids treat you like some sort of king," he said.
A funeral service will be held at Hansen and Cole's Northcliffe Dr chapel today at noon.
© 1997 Illawarra Mercury