Joe Kapelewski: Retirement in a Red Suit
While some people dream of retiring to a warm climate, Joe Kapelewski had his sights set on the North Pole. After a career in state government as an auditor, accountant and financial manager, Kapelewski now brings the spirit of Santa Claus to the Richmond area each holiday season as “Santa Kapp.” His chosen form of transportation, a pickup truck dubbed “Santa’s Sleigh,” makes him instantly recognizable. Not to mention his big white beard, which he sports year-round.
In fact, Kapelewski says unintentionally growing out his beard pre-retirement is what gave him the confidence to take on the role of Santa Claus in the first place. It all started in 2011 when he slipped down his steps at home and ended up with his leg in a cast.
“I couldn’t put weight on my leg, so I couldn’t stand up to shave at the mirror,” Kapelewski says. It wasn’t long before he had a white beard to match his white hair, and realized he really looked the part.
“Once people saw me with the beard, they knew,” he says. However, simply looking like Santa isn’t enough to cut it for a professional.
“It’s a lot more than sitting in a chair going, ‘Ho! Ho! Ho!’” Kapelewski explains. “I did a lot of research and realized it’s something I wanted to do for kids, and for people in general.”
And it seems that Santa is in his genes. Kapelewski’s mother was born on Christmas Day. His grandfather was a coalminer who would dress up as Santa each year for small social clubs in their hometown of Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania. Santa styles and standards have evolved over the years, and a higher emphasis is placed on authenticity these days.
“Back then Santas mostly wore various types of attached beards,” Kapelewski says. “Real beards weren’t a common thing.”
There are several professional organizations that help holiday performers connect with each other and train for their roles, including the International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas, of which Kapelewski is a member. Local IBRBS chapters and other organizations help Santas share and pass along jobs to each other. According to Kapelewski, there is high demand now for Mrs. Claus performers and Santas of color.
“We’re the gatekeepers, the holders of the secret of Santa,” Kapelewski says. “We want to get younger people in and make sure that the message is there: giving and treating others well.”
Although some Santas work what are essentially full-time jobs near the holiday season—think mall Santas—Kapelewski says he prefers the freedom of not having to do it every day. However, his weekends leading up to Christmas are always full, with events for nonprofits, homeowner associations, business promos, farmers markets, private parties, home visits and more.
“I have a lot of fun in December,” Kapelewski says. “In some jobs I make money, but then it gets turned around and put right back into the character—Santa needs new boots, Santa needs a new suit.”
Some events he does free of charge, such as a visit to a nursing home last year.
He also attends some events as the historical precursor to Santa Claus, St. Nicholas.
Most events are with kids, and Kapelewski says he’s seen the full range of children who are excited, as well as those who are scared.
“Some kids open right up, and some parents like to take the screaming pictures to blackmail their kids when they’re older,” he says. “You just have to roll with the flow and think on your feet.”
Kapelewski encourages other retirees to get involved wherever they can to spread Christmas cheer. This could mean volunteering with local organizations, attending events with grandkids or even helping to decorate places such as local nursing homes.
“You don’t have to be the Santa,” Kapelewski says. “You can be a helper.”
For more information on the history of Santa Claus, visit StNicholasCenter.org.
