Michael (Butch) Pope

It is with great sadness that I share the loss of my beloved brother, Michael “Butch” Pope aka Santa.  He was 64 years old.  He cared so much about his family and friends and that feeling was mutual.  We will miss his kind, fun loving nature and friendships that had no boundaries. 

  He graduated Uniondale High School in 1978.  He had several jobs after that including USPS until he decided to join the Air Force, following in his brother’s military path.  After discharge, his endeavors included acting, plays, extras in movies and tv, including a George Harrison video.  He loved music and dancing.

He lived life the way he wanted, a good person and a free spirit.  His faith brought him to church every Sunday.

He started playing Santa over 35 years ago and has embraced it as his own.    To us, he was Santa Claus.  His home visits as Santa at Christmas brought so much happiness to my children, and had them believing beyond the usual age of Santa’s mystique. 

He was Santa Claus at many Long Island malls over the years and was at Hicks Nurseries for many recent years, bringing joy to all the children who visited him.  He also enjoyed playing the Easter Bunny in the spring at the mall. 

  He is survived by his family, sister Helen, brother Joe, niece and goddaughter Cheryl, niece Candace, nephews David, James and Thomas, great niece Rosemarie, great nephews Taycan and Talay, and other family members including Gina, Joe jr, Jerry and more…

May he be at peace with the lord.

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