Charlie “Santa” Kilbride, the Westbrook man best known for playing Santa Claus for the last 30 years at local schools passed away last week. Kilbride died after a short illness surrounded by his family at Maine Medical Center on Friday.

Like his counterpart at the North Pole, Kilbride lived his life giving to others. For over 30 years, he was a volunteer for Maine Special Olympics in addition to playing Santa at local schools and businesses and organizations every Christmas. An avid sports fan, for the last few years he was an usher during Portland Sea Dogs games, where he spent a great deal of time passing out toys, baseballs, and other souvenirs to children.

Kilbride was born on Jan. 3, 1932 to Margaret McGinnis and Ernest Kilbride. He was a standout football player at Deering High School and played semi-pro football for the Portland Sea Hawks in 1961. He served in the Judge Advocate General’s office in the Air Force in Korea and Japan. He then worked at S.D. Warren Paper Company for 33 years until his retirement in 1993.

When he was in the Air Force, he met his wife of 48 years, Patricia, who said “forty-nine years ago he was the best thing to come down the pike, and handsome, too. He could light up a room if he walked in.”

Being the father of six, Patricia Kilbride said her husband was a very hard worker, sometimes holding down a bartending job at the Eagles’ club and a rubbish disposal job in addition to his job at S.D. Warren to support his family. “He was the best, and that’s all there is to it,” she said.

“I could go on and on forever about him,” said daughter Peggy Axelsen. “(But) I think he’ll be remembered for his great sense of humor.”

“He was the kindest guy, always thoughtful, especially to kids,” said John Kameisha, Portland Sea Dogs vice president. “He would show up to work with a backpack filled with teddy bears. He’d always try to find extra batting practice balls and ask me for balls, and he’d also buy things at the souvenir store here and give them away to kids during the games.”

In 30 years as a volunteer for the Special Olympics, Kildare worked tirelessly and without any thought of accolades, according to Mickey Boutilier, former chief executive officer of the organization and long-time friend. In retirement, Kildare would show up at the office every other day or so and ask if there was anything he could do, regardless of the task, Boutilier said.

“Charlie and I were true friends. I don’t think I lost a friend because he gave us so much. Those who didn’t know him were the ones who missed out,” said Boutilier. “There’s only one Charlie Kilbride. After they made him, they threw away the mold.”

Kilbride received numerous acknowledgments from organizations he served during his life, including the Bruce Roberts Toy Fund, Maine Children’s Cancer program, the Westbrook Police Department, the Cerebral Palsy Center, and the United Way. He received a Jefferson Award for Public Service in 1981 and a WCSH-6 Who Care award in 2001 for his efforts giving to others.

However, it’s in his role as Santa that Kilbride will most be remembered in Westbrook. He enjoyed playing Santa and he even had his own mini-Santa village. “He was invited by practically everybody to play Santa and was a great asset to the city,” said Police Chief Paul McCarthy. “Over time he’s probably had half the adults of Westbrook on his knee.”

Kildare was buried at Calvary Cemetery in South Portland following a service at St. Joseph’s Church in Portland. Donations in his name can be made to Maine Special Olympics, 125 John Roberts Road, South Portland, Maine, 04106.