In New Kensington, there really is a Santa

Editor’s note: This is part of an occasional series that features Alle-Kiski Valley residents and the notable things that they do.

A casting call for a sixth-grade school play would land New Kensington native Tom Hogan the role of a lifetime.

St. Joseph School in the early 1970s needed someone to play Santa Claus.

Hogan was eager to stand in for St. Nick. His mother, Dorcas, even got him an outfit.

The young actor’s debut didn’t go as planned, but it did get a reaction.

“Santa was supposed to drop down out of a chimney,” Hogan said. “When I did that, I kind of stopped, dropped and rolled right out through the bottom of it, and everyone started laughing. I thought that was the greatest thing, and we went right on with the play. Ever since then, I’ve always played Santa Claus.”

And he still does. Hogan, 59, often can be found this time of year visiting residents, bringing smiles to children and adults and riding in a fire truck.

He’s been a member of New Kensington Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 since he was 18.

Hogan said he often tells children that firefighters are Santa’s friends because they help people. Santa’s helpers at the New Kensington station are Ricky Pujol, Bruce Crivaro and Kurt Getz.

Hogan, a 1979 Valley High School graduate, also works full-time as a service man for the Municipal Authority of the City of New Kensington.

He saves his vacation time for December, sans a summer week with the family, to relive his character all month long.

“I’ve seen all kind of different situations,” Hogan said of his Santa experiences. “You have to approach every situation real uniquely. I’ve had a lot of fun along the way. I’ve been chased by quite a few dogs, too.”

A particularly memorable situation occurred just a few years after that elementary play.

Hogan said he had a red bag full of candy canes for children and, while walking by a church along Leishman Avenue, he saw some folks up to mischief.

Three juveniles were taking blue bulbs used to light up a nativity scene, and Hogan bargained to put them back.

“They took the bag, and I got the bulbs and put all the bulbs back,” he said. “I’m thinking now I don’t have anything to give the kids.”

A mother at the first house he subsequently visited could sense Hogan’s distress without his usual gift bag. She made sure he left with a pillow case full of treats.

“That was the very first amazing thing that’s ever happened to me,” Hogan said. “I still think it’s a Christmas miracle. I went on my way and did all the houses.”

A family friend and fellow resident, Gordon Adams Sr., would ensure Santa made his rounds with presents for years.

Adams, a longtime boiler repairman for Alcoa Logans Ferry Powder Plant, died in October 2016 at 90.

Hogan played Santa at the wedding of Adams’ daughter, Denise Difranco, and even dressed in the red suit for his funeral.

“He was a fantastic person,” Hogan said.

Through the years Hogan would represent Santa in Gaylords Department Stores, local Dairy Queens and numerous holiday parties.

“I have people call me in August to set up a date for me to come and visit their kids,” he said. It takes him about an hour to get suited up.

Hogan even directed traffic with a “ho ho ho” in front of Mogie’s Irish Pub along Leechburg Road after a fender bender one year.

One way to get a lump of coal from Hogan is to play the part unprofessionally. He would critique mall Santas and those at the former Santa school in Pittsburgh.

“When you get dressed, make sure you’ve got everything right,” Hogan said. “Don’t go out sloppy and don’t have any liquor on your breath, no smoking. Make sure your boots are clean and shiny. These kids look for that. Don’t come out there with brown-stem glasses and looking goofy. You’ll never have my kid by you.”

Hogan still lives in the city with his wife, Dana. They have two adult sons and one granddaughter.

“I believe in New Kensington,” Hogan said. “I believe in the people that are here. Once you’re here, you’re home. Everything looks greener on the other side until you get there. You could move to Iowa, but sooner or later, where you coming back to? Home. What a silly old world this would be without a Santa Claus.”