Reception is from 3-4 p.m. Friday at post office
Managing editor
No sleet or snow or dark of night will keep Jason Commerford from his appointed rounds as a mail carrier — but his feet might.
The 25-year veteran of the U.S. Postal Service is retiring Friday, after 22 years of walking about 10 miles per day.
His feet and knees are about worn out but his friendly disposition remains intact.
Commerford, who lives in Peabody, has the Marion foot route, delivering mail to businesses and residents.
When asked if he’s seen anything unusual, his response was “I try not to.”
Commerford did recall a situation where he found a deceased man on a porch but otherwise his two decades of carrying and delivering mail have been uneventful.
An ice storm several years ago made delivery difficult, Commerford said, and a rain storm in 1993 also sticks in his mind.
“It looked like I was carrying mail in Venice,” he said, with the streets flooding and rain pouring down for hours.
What’s changed the most in the past twenty years?
“More paperwork,” Commerford said, referring to reports required by upper management.
Christmastime used to be more enjoyable when people sent cards and letters to loved ones.
“People used to be excited about getting their mail, especially during that time of year,” he said. Times have changed and fewer cards are being sent.
Commerford’s day starts like other mail carriers’ at 7:30 a.m. with sorting of mail. He usually starts his route between 9 and 9:30 a.m., beginning in the valley. He typically is finished by noontime, stops at the post office to eat lunch, and then heads for the hill. He’s usually finished by 2:30 p.m. or 3 p.m.
Carrying a 20-25 pound pack, eight to 10 miles, five days a week takes a toll on the human body.
“I have to see a chiropractor on a regular basis and have problems with my feet and knees,” Commerford said, but he’s not one to complain.
“I love my route and the people of this community,” he said.
Delivering mail in a community this size is enjoyable because if there is a problem, like a loose dog, a solution can easily be found.
Has he ever been bitten by a dog?
“No. I’ve been lucky,” Commerford said. “There aren’t too many loose dogs in this town.”
So, how does he stay warm on those bitterly cold days?
“Layers. I might wear three or four layers on my legs and four or five on my torso,” he said. The hardest areas to keep warm are his hands and fingers. They have to be flexible enough to pick up letters.
And, what about during the summer?
Commerford wears light, cotton clothing and drinks a lot of water.”
“I pray for the wind to blow,” he said with a smile.
After Friday, Commerford doesn’t have any specific plans. He said he had an opportunity to take an early retirement, so he took it. His wife, Chrysta, teaches in Wichita, so there’s a possibility the couple may move closer to her job.
Commerford said he enjoys reading, researching on the Internet, and gardening. The couple has a son, Brennan, 23, who farms near Troy.
Yes, Commerford will miss his daily route and the customers he serves and his customers and the residents of Marion will miss his friendliness and sense of humor.