William Hare, often seen in costume

William J. Hare liked playing a part, whether it was at a Shore pub, in a parade, or at a Philadelphia department store.

From the 1980s to 2013, his sister Maureen Luschini said, he could be found dressed as a leprechaun at Irish American events in Philadelphia and North Wildwood.

During some of those years, he also would dress as an Easter bunny, attracting drivers to a beer distributorship in Northeast Philadelphia.

And for a while he was Santa Claus, greeting shoppers as he walked the aisles at Strawbridge & Clothier in Center City.

"He always had an interest in entertainment," his sister said. "He liked the attention."

On Friday, June 10, Mr. Hare, 60, of Cape May, died of heart disease at home.

For the last four years, his sister said, he had worked as a cashier at a Walmart in Rio Grande, N.J.

Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Hare grew up in the Port Richmond section and graduated from the former Northeast Catholic High School in 1973.

He studied from 1973 to 1975 at DeSales University in Lehigh County, with the intention of becoming a religious brother.

For a time after that, he studied at the former Restaurant School in Philadelphia because, his sister said, "he fancied himself a chef."

And through it all, she said, he was a house painter.

From 1982 to 1986, Mr. Hare was a Navy medic and served on the aircraft carrier Nimitz, including a mission in the Mediterranean.

When he returned to civilian life, he worked as a clerk at the post office, she said, but for much of his career after that he worked for a succession of stores.

Mr. Hare lived with his parents in Northeast Philadelphia until 2003, before moving to the Shore.

As a leprechaun, his sister said, "that's how everyone would remember him," whether at parties and weddings, at St. Patrick's Day events in March, or at the Irish Fall Festival in North Wildwood in September.

"He just wanted to make people have a good time," she said.

Besides his sister, Mr. Hare is survived by a brother and three sisters.

A memorial gathering was set from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, June 25, at the Spilker Funeral Home, 815 Washington St., Cape May.

A visitation was set from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 28, at the Church of St. Anne, Lehigh Avenue and Memphis Street, before a 10 a.m. Funeral Mass, with burial in St. Dominic Cemetery.

Donations may be sent to Citizens/Veterans Advisory Committee at cvaccapemay.com.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.spilkerfuneralhome.com.

wnaedele@phillynews.com

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