BANKER GETS A KICK OUT OF PLAYING ST. NICK.

Byline: Sherry Joe Crosby Daily News Staff Writer

Mike Gadbury takes his role as Santa Claus seriously. So seriously, in fact, that the 53-year-old Canyon Country resident took a job with Wells Fargo Bank on the condition that he have time off to play St. Nick.

``I'm the jovial, jolly elf,'' said Gadbury who has played Santa Claus for the past 14 years to children in his Langside neighborhood, Lancaster, Sylmar and, for the past three years, to families and children of inmates at the Peter J. Pitchess Detention Center north of Santa Clarita.

At 6 feet, 3 inches tall and 290 pounds, Gadbury resembles Father Christmas in more than spirit. ``Rosy red cheeks, big red nose - I give them exactly what they ask for,'' said Gadbury who dons a fire engine-red suit, suspenders and Ben Franklin glasses to play the role.

Gadbury takes his job as Santa Claus to heart. He spent weeks searching for just the right pair of black leather boots before he spotted them - for $150 - at the Saugus swap meet. And he refuses to let children see him until he's in full regalia. He doesn't want to break their hearts.

``I'm like a magician. It's an illusion,'' he said of his transformation from banker to St. Nick. ``When I'm in costume, I'm Santa Claus until I strip.''

That attitude transcends his attire. For Gadbury, playing Santa Claus means treating children like they're the only ones that exist in the world.

``I try to give kids that little bit of extra attention,'' he said. ``Kids, a lot of the time, are not treated like real people. They need to be treated real special.''

The approach works, say those who have seen Gadbury in action.

``He's very authentic,'' said Elaine Schneider, executive director of Baby Steps, an early intervention program for developmentally delayed children in Saugus where Gadbury recently played Santa Claus.

``He's got the laugh down, he's very gentle and he's very caring - just like a Santa,'' Schneider said.

While at the center, Gadbury coaxed shy children onto his lap, dispensing hugs as liberally as candy canes and books. Parents were appreciative of his efforts.

``He's wonderful. He looks real,'' said Vanessa Reagan of Saugus, who brought 4-1/2-year-old Samantha and 2-year-old Tommy to see Santa Claus, alias Gadbury.

The 18-year Optimist Club member said the children are what keeps him coming back to play Santa Claus year after year.

``It's the feeling you get from them,'' he said. ``It makes you feel 100 feet tall.''

``It's giving back to the community,'' Dee Gadbury said of her husband's activities. ``He can reach out and touch a kid and bring something to a child.''

Gadbury started playing Santa Claus after he inherited the outfit from a friend whose costume shop was closing at the time. His first visit was to a special education program in Santa Clarita.

``The next thing you know, I'm doing Santa Claus,'' he said.

``It grew on him and grew with him,'' said Dee Gadbury, who can't imagine her husband not playing Santa Claus. ``If he couldn't play Santa Claus, he would be really lost.''

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2 Photos

Photo: (1--ran in SAc edition only) Prisoners' families get a bus ride to the Peter J. Pitchess Detention Center. Mike Gadbury has played Santa at the jail for three years.

(2--color in AV edition only) Gadbury holds Alfredo Alejandres, 2, of El Monte, during the boy's visit to the jail.

John Lazar/Special to the Daily News