DIAMOND POINT – Don McIntyre came of age in 1960 when the U.S. Marine Corps issued him a pair of black boots, a white cotton beard and orders to become Santa Claus.
His job, as an 18-year-old Marine straight out of boot camp, was to bring Christmas presents to foster children at a Toys for Tots party.
But those youngsters weren’t so interested in stuff.
“They asked, ‘Where’s Mommy? When do I get to go home?'” remembered McIntyre.
All he could do was hand out Barbies, boxes of Lincoln Logs and such.
In the 47 years since, McIntyre – from this point forward Santa – has picked up a few things about what humans want and need.
Now a resident of Diamond Point, Santa hands out cards bearing his photo, the message, “Santa retiring to ÂSEQUIM,” with his home and cell phone numbers.
Between this Thanksgiving and Christmas, he’s come – usually late to make a grand, bell-jingling entrance – at some 40 parties, schools, workplaces and nursing homes.
