In his dad’s footsteps
News editor
More than 30 years ago, Greg Topham’s father gave him advice that shaped his career.
“My dad was working for the post office, and he encouraged me to take the test,” Topham said.
His father’s advice was sound. Topham has worked for the Postal Service for 32½ years, including the past 16 as postmaster in Marion. Today is his first day of retirement from the Postal Service.
“It’s been a good, steady, reliable job with good benefits, and it’s allowed me to provide well for my family,” he said.
He started with a job as a part-time mail carrier years ago in Peabody, where he still resides. In September 1982 he became a full-time carrier in Newton, where he worked until 1991.
In 1991 he became postmaster for Peabody. He worked there for about four years and took two stints as officer in charge — essentially an interim postmaster — at Marion. In November 1996 he was appointed postmaster for Marion.
Despite spending most of his career as a postmaster, he enjoyed his time as a carrier, and he continued to fill in when the post office was short on help.
“I enjoy being outdoors, and I enjoyed carrying a lot,” Topham said. “I’m an outdoor person.”
He plans to remain active in retirement.
“I’m retiring from this job, but I’m not one to sit at home and do nothing,” he said.
Topham was unsure Thursday who would take over his duties. The post office will likely have an interim postmaster for a while. Most postmaster searches take two to three months.
Rural mail carrier Jim Darrow also recently retired from the Marion post office. He could not be reached before press time.