LYNN — The man who may have played the best Santa Claus in the city’s annual six-hour Christmas Parade died suddenly last week.
Friends say Thomas J. Laramie, 56, a lifelong Lynn resident, brought joy to the thousands who lined the 26-mile route each Christmas eve.
“He really worked it, he didn’t just stand up on the float and wave, he jumped around, he danced,” said John Walsh Sr., the Santa float driver and co-founder of the event. “I watched him in the rear view mirror to make sure he didn’t fall off. I’d tell him to be careful and slow down and he’d just say ‘I’m OK, keep driving.'”
During a poignant moment in last year’s parade, Laramie as Santa spotted Nicholas Chakoutis, City Councilor Dianna Chakoutis’ husband, in a wheelchair, Walsh said.
“He jumped off the fire truck and gave him a hug,” he said. “That was Tommy.”
“Nick” Chakoutis died in January of brain cancer.
Janet Melanson, best known as Mrs. Claus for more than 20 years, said Laramie was a unique Santa because he focused his attention on the crowd.
“He wasn’t up there saying ‘Look at me, I’m on the float,’ he was there for the people of Lynn and he wanted to make it about the crowd,” she said. “That’s something not all the Santas have as a priority.”
Melanson said the parade is one time the city is focused on joy and Laramie was a big part of it.
The parade features more than 100 volunteers, as well as members of the fire and police departments, who provide materials and time. Among the more unique floats include a gazebo with carolers, a station wagon with a tree atop the roof, and a float to honor veterans.
“Knock on wood, we’ve never had any problems,” she said. “We always get nervous that something might happen, but we see the joy throughout the city for a few hours a year.”
It’s unclear who will be the next Santa.
“We will discuss this later, we haven’t gotten that far yet,” she said.
Roger Ennis, a city inspector and Laramie’s brother-in-law, said the last time they spoke, he had just been hired by the city’s Parking Department.
“I saw him in the parking lot and he told me there’s an older woman who came to City Hall to do business and forgot where she parked,” he said. “He was helping her find it. That’s the kind of guy he was.”
The husband of Karen (Wing) Laramie, he was the son of the late William and Barbara (Bailey) Laramie. He graduated from Lynn Classical High School and worked as a driver and a dispatcher. He is survived by his daughters, Jenna Lee Laramie and Jessica Lee Laramie of Lynn, and his sister, Rosie Stokes of Beverly.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday in the Solimine Funeral Home on Broadway from 3 to 6 p.m. The funeral service will follow.
