Newtown Post Office

Distribution Clerk Retires

By Nancy K. Crevier

After 38 years and three months of service to the United States Postal Service, Joseph S. Tortora walked out the doors of the Newtown Commerce Road Post Office facility for the final time in his career, Monday, January 31, retiring from the position of distribution clerk.

Mr Tortora began working for the postal service when the Newtown Post Office was located on Queen Street, under the direction of then-postmaster, the late Albert Nichols. “He was a wonderful man,” said Mr Tortora.

Over the course of nearly four decades, Mr Tortora has done “nearly everything,” he recalled, from home and special deliveries, to working the counter. “We had to do a little bit of all of it, back then,” he said. Along with serving as distribution clerk, Mr Tortora has also held the position of post office box clerk on Commerce Road, managing the 1,200 postal rental boxes at the Newtown site.

“It’s a lot of detail work, and he’s excellent at it,” said supervisor Richard Crowther. “Everyone will miss him,” he added.

“The system has been great to me, we’re paid fairly, and I love the people I work with,” Mr Tortora said, “but it’s time to retire.”

Mr Tortora will not be resting on his laurels, though. A familiar face to those who frequent the Edmond Town Hall Theatre, he will continue to work there as a ticket collector and behind the concession stand, he said.