Actor Peter Schrum Dies at 69
TJF
Peter ''Pete'' Schrum, 69, known to Cantonians as the Mellet Mall
Santa Claus, and worldwide as the Coca-Cola Santa, died Monday in
Prescott, Ariz.
The Hollywood actor who played many roles on television and in the
movies died following a heart attack, said longtime friend Tony Volpe
of Canton. Volpe grew up and attended Central Catholic High School
with Schrum.
Schrum was born Peter Schroom in Newark, N.J. He left high school
before graduation and joined the Marines, then worked in construction
and as a Steelworker, Volpe said.
''Then he went into playacting.''
Locally, Schrum acted with the Players Guild, Canal Fulton Dinner
Theater and the Kenley Players, but most probably remember him as
Mellet Mall’s Santa, which he played for nine years.
He also portrayed Santa in Coca-Cola ads and memorabilia for 17 years,
and went on to a career in Hollywood that lasted almost three decades.
But Volpe remembers best Schrum’s connection with children.
''Kids drew to him,'' Volpe said. ''He had a touch.''
Children who at first were afraid of Santa always ended up on Schrum’s
lap, telling their Christmas secrets, Volpe said.
Schrum’s appeal wasn’t limited to children. ''Everybody who came into
contact with him, they just loved him,'' Volpe said. ''He was a super
guy. He had a personality that was A-1.''
Once a Santa, always a Santa, and Schrum never forgot home, Volpe
said. Five years ago, after Volpe’s wife died, he formed the Mary
Volpe Angel Foundation, and it was Schrum’s job to return from
California and perform for the schools and charities the foundation
helped.
''He faithfully did it, and he loved it,'' Volpe said. Schrum was
unable to return last Christmas because injuries he received in a 1999
automobile crash in Arizona had made it too difficult to travel, he
said.
He appeared in the movies: ''The Hulk,'' ''The Man Who Wasn’t There,''
''Dead Man,'' ''Demonic Toys,'' ''Blue Desert,'' ''Terminator 2:
Judgment Day,'' ''Flicks,'' ''Eliminators,'' ''Trancers'' and
''Galaxina.''
He also guest starred on television shows including: ''Legend,''
''Quantum Leap,'' ''Night Court,'' ''Valerie,'' ''Family Ties,''
''T.J. Hooker,'' ''The Jeffersons,'' ''Gimme a Break,'' ''Vega$,'' and
a miniseries, ''The French Atlantic Affair.''
Volpe said Schrum moved from California to about five acres on a
mountain in Prescott several years ago, after his home was ruined for
a second time by earthquakes.
''He’d achieved what he wanted to do. He was an actor,'' Volpe said.
''I used to kid him about it.''
The actor took the kidding about his roles in stride, Volpe said. ''He
said, ‘They’re all small. It ain’t Clint Eastwood.’''
Funeral arrangements were unavailable.
Marcia Rovins
this.
Marcia
jasonw...@gmail.com
Sarah Ehrett's Lesbian Love Interest
> Pete Shrum is my grandfather, and it just made me cry knowing that people spoke so highly of him. You are right about everything your saying, he had this thing about him that a person couldn't deny. He was always Santa Claus to us (family and friends around the world) a great man and grandfather, I wish he was still here with us as he had an enormous healing effect with anyone he would come in contact with. Thank you Tony you just made my whole year!!! 😂
Ragnar Von Cohen
Adam H. Kerman
Sarah Ehrett's Lesbian Love Interest
>
> The thread was from February 19, 2003.
