Beloved Westfield Santa Claus Dies At 70

WESTFIELD, NJ — Thomas Adrian Pearson, who was known for portraying Santa Claus in Westfield and at Lord & Taylor for more than 17 years, has died.

Pearson, 70, died on Wednesday at Ocean Medical Center in Brick. Pearson was born and raised in North Plainfield before moving to Bayville for 10 years and Whiting the last eight years.

He was a retired construction laborer working out of Local 779 of Somerville. Tom also worked as a professional Santa Claus. He served in the United States Army during Vietnam.

Tom was predeceased by his wife, Margaret Peggy Pearson, in 1994.

Surviving are two sons, Thomas III and wife, Kimberly, Pearson of New Providence, Timothy Pearson of Whiting and a daughter, Tara, and husband, Timothy, Gleason of Lacey Township. Also surviving is a brother, Scott and wife, Suzanne, Pearson of North Plainfield; three sisters: Lynn Pearson, Diane and husband, John Scannelli, and Judy and husband, Robert, Jones all of Bridgewater. Also surviving is Tom's companion, Joan Potts, of Ocean Gate and four grandchildren: Dylan, Tim, Ryan and Thomas IV and many nephews and nieces.

Services will start 9 a.m. Wednesday from Scarpa-Las Rosas Funeral Home, 22 Craig Place, North Plainfield, followed by a 10 a.m. mass at St. Joseph RC Church in North Plainfield. Burial will take place in Hillside Cemetery in Scotch Plains. Visiting hours are Tuesday 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.

(Image via westfieldtoday.com)

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