Lake County has lost one of its most cherished holiday icons. Robert “Bob” Luckey, affectionately known as “Santa Luckey,” passed away early Thursday morning from cancer complications. Luckey was 90 years old.

For nearly three decades, Santa Luckey brought holiday cheer to families at Lake Square Mall in Leesburg. Starting in the late 1980s, he became a beloved fixture of the mall, greeting children and adults alike as they shared their Christmas wishes. Generations of families returned year after year to visit the man they knew as the “real Santa.”

Luckey’s passion for the role extended far beyond the holidays. Born with red hair, he bleached his hair and beard to achieve the authentic Santa look. Even during his battle with cancer and after undergoing hip replacement surgery, he never missed a day in Santa’s chair, greeting children from Thanksgiving to Christmas Eve. He retired at the end of 2019.

Luckey’s dedication to his role began after retiring from the Navy. Encouraged by his wife, Mary, he applied to work as a seasonal Santa at the mall. The job became his calling, and his connection with children and families grew over the years.

Luckey touched the lives of countless families, offering more than just photo opportunities—he created lasting memories. Many took to social media to express their memories of seeing him as a kid and taking their own kids to visit him each year.

“25 years of Christmas pictures with him,” Cortney Trimble said on Facebook. “My kids believed in Santa for so long because it was always him. Thank you, Luckey. Your magic will never be forgotten.”

Santa Luckey’s legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew him as more than just a mall Santa. He was a community treasure who embodied the spirit of Christmas and brought joy to all who met him.