For 20 years — for 20 Christmases — jovial John Toomey played Santa Claus for Macy’s at its famed Union Square location in San Francisco. And boy!, did John fit the part. Sporting a chest-length white beard and cherry-red cheeks, John was the spitting image of the traditional Santa Claus that danced in the minds of boys and girls for decades. Every year, John could be spotted on his golden throne at Union Square, smiling broadly as children climbed upon his lap to reveal their wishes for Christmas morning. He delivered a hearty “ho-ho-ho” to the delight of his small visitors and their parents alike. During the year, he was recognized running personal errands and, despite wearing a colorful Hawaiian shirt. Locals referred to his as “Santa John” and he was just fine with that. And every year, he’d return to his familiar place at Union Square.
Until 2010.
A few weeks before Christmas, an older couple was visiting Santa John. He asked them if they had been naughty or nice, setting them up for a punchline he had used hundreds of times over the years. When they replied “Nice, of course!,” he laughed and said, “That’s too bad, because I know where all the naughty boys and girls live!” The couple did not find Santa John’s joke funny. They complained to Macy’s management and John Toomey was promptly fired. Folks who later brought their children for their annual visit to Macy’s Union Square Santa were greeted by a different Santa… and they were very disappointed. Picket lines popped up. Loyal patrons voiced their anger to Macy’s, but the department store stood firm on their decision.
Local San Francisco bar Lefty O’Doul’s came to the rescue. The popular neighborhood watering hole offered John Toomey a gig as Santa Claus. Owner Nick Bovis offered John double his previous salary as well as a larger throne… plus the promise that he could tell any sort of jokes he liked. John happily accepted. Lefty O’Doul’s charged $10 for photos with Santa, with all proceeds going toward the San Francisco Fire Department’s Toy Drive for less-fortunate children. Crowds flocked to Lefty O’Doul’s. Lots of money was raised for a good cause. And John Toomey was offered a lifetime contract with his new employer.
In July 2011, John Toomey was discovered dead in his room at San Francisco’s Market Street residential hotel. He was 69-years old.
In 2025, Macy’s quietly eliminated the appearance of Santa at the Union Square location, putting an end to an 80-year tradition.