Andy, downtown Cloverdale’s popular Postie, is moving to another route.
Known for wearing shorts even on the coldest day and for his impish sense of humour, Andy has been a favourite with many office and business denizens.
He’s delivered the mail to 102 businesses in the historic town centre for the past four years, and as many as 12 years on some streets.
He’s been invited to office parties, swapped barbs, and kept everyone up-to-date on his training efforts: in addition to his delivery route, Andy is an avid long-distance runner who trains for marathons.
“Everybody knows Andy by his first name and loves him,” recalled Robin Reum, former Cloverdale Reporter sales representative. ‘I ran into him in so many businesses and they all knew him and joked with him.”
Everyone seems to know his first name, at least. The Reporter’s efforts to discover his surname proved elusive.
Andy’s moving on because Canada Post is updating its delivery routes, something that’s done periodically to reflect changes such as new residential and commercial developments.
His new route is nearby (along 60 Avenue), but says he’ll miss working in the close-knit, historic downtown. He thoughtfully delivered the news of his impending departure, along with the day’s mail, two weeks ago, giving everyone time for the news to sink in.
The great thing about Cloverdale, he said, is that it’s still a small town where people have time to talk.
There was a sense of occasion along 176 and 176A streets for Andy’s final downtown shift April 12, when he was sent off with farewell gifts, hugs, smiles and even a ceremonial libation or two.
Andy was headed to Boston for Monday’s marathon, followed by some vacation time before starting his new route.
We’d like to welcome his replacement, Corina, who’s asking everyone to be patient; she’s still learning the route.