Came across this sad news on gigharborguide.com's Facebook page today:
I am very sad to hear the news today about the passing of Bert Beneville. Bert has served as our official Santa Claus the entire time I have been doing this job. He was a wonderful man and he will be missed. See his obituary here - please note funeral is SATURDAY not Sunday as indicated.
For information on services and to read Bert's obituary, click here.
Beneville spent some two decades in Gig Harbor, working with countless organizations and rising to the rank of Lieutenant as a volunteer firefighter and EMT with the Gig Harbor Fire Department, among his other accomplishments.
And Beneville was the face behind Santa Claus' beard during the city's holiday festivities. In fact, we got video of him two years ago during the city's tree-lighting.
Thanks, Bert. You will be greatly missed.
What are your favorite memories of Bert, Gig Harbor Patch users? Did you or your children talk to him when he was Santa Claus? Did you take photos with him? Tell us in the comments and share your photos by clicking "Upload Photos and Videos" under the media gallery.
