Eddie Rollins, former Lynwood postmaster and Bainbridge Island's Santa, passes away


March 29, 2012 · 4:37 PM

Edward "Eddie" Rollins, the former postmaster at the Lynwood Post Office, passed away on Sunday, March 25. He was 91.

Rollins was born May 22, 1920, the sixth of seven children. He came to Bainbridge Island courtesy of the Army, arriving a few days after the Japanese American residents were rounded up and sent to internment camps during World War II.

Rollins met his future wife Helen Serol, a native islander, during his service as a soldier and the couple were married before the war's end.

He was known to many for his work as a customer services officer at American Marine Bank, and famous to children as "the lollipop man."

He got his first job as Santa during his postmaster years, writing back to kids who had sent letters to Santa, and he later took on the role as Santa at the bank.

His family said he loved basketball, and once played against the Harlem Globetrotters.

Rollins is survived by his daughters Susan Campbell of Missouri and Shelly Henderson of Bainbridge Island.

Arrangements are under the care of Cook Family Funeral Home.

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