Geoff Service smiles as he sits in his familiar front porch perch on Severne Street in Chemainus.
Dressed as Santa Claus, the 76-year-old has been transforming himself into Santa Claus each day in an effort to bring the magic of the holidays to anyone who needs it.
“None of the malls are showing live Santas, so its important that Santa be front and centre every Christmas,” he said.
The 76-year old was recently diagnosed with cancer and has ongoing kidney failure that requires dialysis three days a week.
“We nearly lost him in April,” said his wife, Joan.
But despite battling cancer and kidney failure, Service, in between hospital visits, gets out on his porch and brings smiles to everyone who sees him.
“I have to be here,” said Service. “Santa will always be there.”
His efforts haven’t gone unnoticed.
“That is so sweet of him to do,” said passerby, Sarah Kendall.
“Seeing Santa makes it feel a little bit more like Christmas,” adds Joan Takenaka, a neighbour.
Service will appear Monday-Friday on his porch as Santa from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Skye Ryan
