One of SantaB次元官网网址檚 biggest fans received one final gift, courtesy of Langford Fire Rescue.

Bev Sutton had never missed a Santa Run and as she lay bedridden, her family wanted her to see Santa one last time.

Lt. Paul Obersteller had been asked to don the red suit and white beard for the departmentB次元官网网址檚 annual Christmastime cruise through the city. He expected to B次元官网网址渁ct happy and goofyB次元官网网址� in the role.

Two days later he was asked to make a special visit to the Sutton house, where Bev lay dying of cancer.

B次元官网网址淪he was pretty sick and it was terminal. This was going to be her last Christmas,B次元官网网址� Obersteller recalled. B次元官网网址淲ithout even thinking about it, I said B次元官网网址榶es.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

When the truck stopped outside her home Dec. 24, about 60 neighbours gathered around. Obersteller went in alone and sat on her bed.

It had been days since Bev had spoken, her son Dean said. But when she saw her visitor, she managed one word: B次元官网网址淯nbelievable.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淪he recognized me as Santa and squeezed my hand. It was one of her last wishes, to see Santa on Christmas Eve,B次元官网网址� Obersteller said.

The firefighter admitted he was flushed with emotion upon hearing that Bev passed away at age 68 Dec. 27.

The Suttons moved to Langford in 1970 and Dean remembers his motherB次元官网网址檚 excitement upon seeing Santa travelling down the street in a lit-up truck.

B次元官网网址淢y mom freaked out,B次元官网网址� he recalled. B次元官网网址淓very year it was a real big deal. Her excitement made it a family tradition.B次元官网网址�

The Santa Run was always anticipated in the Sutton house, as popular as the familyB次元官网网址檚 seafood feasts. When Bev saw firefighters give her children candy canes, she started buying chocolate for them.

B次元官网网址淲e got to throw chocolate at Santa, but it had to land on his lap. If you missed you blew it,B次元官网网址� Dave said. His mom made a rule that anyone throwing chocolate had to be at least 10 years old.

Now Dean has two children, 10 and 12, and both throw chocolate to Santa.

Due to her weak condition, Bev couldnB次元官网网址檛 go outside to see the truck pass by this time. Knowing how important the occasion was to his wife, Lloyd Sutton asked his neighbour, Langford Fire Rescue Lt. Kim Reach, if Santa might make a special trip.

The department, and Obersteller, were happy to oblige.

B次元官网网址淚t canB次元官网网址檛 get more inspiring than this happening on Christmas Eve,B次元官网网址� said Fire Chief Bob Beckett. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 what Christmas is all about. I am incredibly grateful we were able to do this. It brought tear to my eyes.B次元官网网址�

charla@goldstreamgazette.com