Steven Thomas Vander Brink

Steven Thomas Vander Brink, aka Santa Steve, 64 of Pacolet, South Carolina, formerly of Hawthorne, New Jersey, passed away following a brief illness on August 8th, 2021. Steven was born in Savannah, Georgia to the late Jacob W. and Pamela Betty Vander Brink.

Steven was a craftsman and servant to the Children with Disabilities and performed every year as a Professional Santa Claus for over 10 years at the Haywood Mall in Greenville, South Carolina, West Gate Mall in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and the Biltmore Mall in Asheville, North Carolina. Thousands of Upstate children and parents have had their photographs taken with this Giant of a Santa.

Steven was a standout football player during his tenure at Hawthorne High School in New Jersey, a Tri-State All-Star, and later on the collegiate level at Syracuse University and Utah State. A member of the Hawthorne Muchachos Drum and Bugle Corps, Steven was infamous for his ability to carry a “Thunder Base” and one-handed carry of the National Colors.

Steven is survived by his wife, Anna Rogers Vander Brink; children, Nancy and husband Billy Irwin, Nicole Vander Brink, and Chelsea Vander Brink; sisters, Jacqueline and husband Joseph Rappise, JoAnn and husband Scott Vincent, Pamela and husband Steve Katkics, brothers Jacob and wife Jonni Vander Brink, and John and wife Denise DeCondo VanderBrink, aunt Christine Byrd, uncle Don and wife Bette Frampton, also Several nieces, nephews and cousins

Steven’s ashes will be interred at All Saints Episcopal Church, Tybee Island, Georgia, on October 23rd, 2021. Reception to follow.