Joe the Postman

For the last 40 years, I have been working in the construction field. Year after year working outside in the elements has worn me down a notch, or two. Most days my knees feel like those of an old hockey player. The hard work has no mercy.

I have always respected people who work hard.

People who toil for a living are the backbone of our nation. We partake in this daily struggle of work to care for our families paying our monthly debts while trying to stay afloat.

Often, we see our fellow workers collecting rubbish, pumping gas, helping us in the market, or in this case delivering the mail to our homes. Many such workers go unnoticed blending in with the landscape of life. The truth is what would we do without them?

Here is the story of one such person, Joe Caezza, my postman.

During the last 19 years, Joe has delivered the mail in the southern section of Stoneham, MA. On the hottest most sweltering days, you will find him wearing his Bermuda shorts while proudly displaying his trademark safari hat with sweat dripping from his brow. No matter, he delivers our mail. Throughout the winter, in snow, sleet, hail, and frigid temperatures, Joe assures us that the junk mail, & bills arrive at our door, with a smile.

Recently, I remember getting a letter with the wrong address written on the envelope. The letter still arrived at my door! When I asked Joe, how was this possible? He laughed as he said “The postal service will always guarantee you get every bill! I knew he had my back.

Joe will always ask, “How’s is going for you?” Sincerely listening to the response, he makes time for me as he holds pounds of mail in his hands.

Last week, I received a note from Joe. He bid on another route, and was leaving this side of town. I felt like we were losing a member of our extended family. Joe is a great letter carrier. More than that, he is a super person. Joe truly cares about his work and the people on the route.

I am sure the new postal carrier will be as professional as Joe, and the mail will come as usual. While things will continue as if Joe never existed, we are sorry to see him depart.

So, I bid Joe the postman good luck with his new route. We shall miss his stylist hats, great demeanor, professional service, and most all his smile.

 Joe Caezza, a class act for the U.S. Postal Service in Stoneham, MA. The postal union should be proud to have postal carriers of such high caliber.

People like Joe have been delivering mail since 1639, sending letters of discontent to the King of England.  For a short time in 1860, the Pony Express would link mail delivery to the gold mines in California to the eastern states. 

Today, we have progressed to electronic mail. We now pay our bills, communicate in seconds with instant messages, and use on-line purchasing reducing the workload. The traditional Saturday mail delivery service is in danger of abandonment.  

However, I hope this new technology doesn't force the post office into history books similar to the Pony Express. The U.S Post Office is a cornerstone of Americana.

We all owe a public thanks to Joe The Postman, and every letter carrier, for their continued dedicated service!  Best regards from Paul Maisano