News & information
The NALC has learned of an additional 13 letter carriers lost to COVID-19, four active and nine retired members.
Roy Orona, of Las Vegas, NV, died on Dec. 1, 2020. Brother Orona was a retired member of Los Angeles, CA Branch 24. He started carrying mail in 1985 and retired after 23 years. He leaves behind his wife Luci and daughter Stephanie. He was 74.
James Drury died on Dec. 25, 2020, at the age of 87. James started his postal career in 1960 and served for 30 years before retiring. Brother Drury was a member of Garden Grove, CA Branch 1100. He became a gold card member in 2018. He is survived by his children, Joan, Victor and Rochelle, as well as grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Bill Dew Jr. died on Dec. 31, 2020, at the age of 65. Bill worked at the West Springfield, VA, post office and was a member of Northern Virginia Branch 3520. Brother Dew carried mail for 35 years.
Danny Pocchiari, of St. Petersburg, FL, died on Jan. 6 at the age of 94. Brother Pocchiari was a retired gold card member of West Coast Florida Branch 1477, starting his NALC membership in 1955. He was a veteran, serving in World War II and the Korean War. He is survived by his son Mike and daughter-in-law Lesley.
Johnson McPherson II died on Jan. 9 at the age of 54. Brother McPherson worked at the Norwalk, CT, post office and was a member of Branch 147. He carried mail for more than 32 years. He leaves behind his wife Tammy, and sons Ashante and Donyae.
Vincent Welsh, 79, died on Jan. 10. Brother Welsh was a retired member of South Macomb, MI Branch 4374. He was a gold card holder with 58 years of membership. He leaves behind wife Lillian, and children Elaine and Robert.
Pamela Carter-Butler, 64, died on Jan. 11. Sister Carter-Butler worked at the Pottstown, PA, post office and was a member of Bux-Mont, PA Branch 920. She started her career with the Postal Service in 1986. She leaves behind husband Brooke and children Kendria, Mercedes and Ryan.
Robert Bracy died on Jan. 15 at the age of 71. Brother Bracy was a retiree who had served his fellow letter carriers as a steward, activities coordinator and MDA coordinator. Prior to his 22-year postal career, he served in the United States Army for 20 years. Robert was a member of Louisville, KY 14.
William “Hosea” Hunter died on Jan. 19. Brother Hunter was a gold card member from Medford, OR Branch 1433. Hosea served his fellow letter carriers as a health benefits representative and branch trustee and was the 1992 Oregon state letter carrier of the year. Brother Hunter leaves behind his wife and children. He was 73.
Alexander Morin, of Gilford, NH, died on Jan. 21. He worked for the Postal Service for 31 years before retiring in 1988. Brother Morin was a member of New Hampshire Merged Branch 44 and had maintained his NALC membership for more than 62 years. Alex is survived by five children, Daniel, Donna, David, Darcia and Dennis. He was 94.
Robert Beasley of Augusta, GA, died on Jan. 21. He was a gold card member of Los Angeles, CA Branch 24. Brother Beasley retired after 30 years of service in 1990. He leaves behind his former spouse Ida, and children Michelle, Chayra and Stephen. He was 88.
George Kazonis died on Jan. 21 at the age of 70. Brother Kazonis served his country in the National Guard and served his fellow letter carriers as steward, chief steward, vice president, president and president emeritus of Hammond, IN Branch 580. He retired in 2012 from the Postal Service after 39 years. He leaves behind wife Niki, and children Nektaroula, Emmanuel and Maria.
Fred Yates died on Jan. 22. He worked at the High Point, NC, post office and was a member of Branch 936 since 1986. Brother Yates served his brothers and sisters as a safety captain and an on-the-job instructor. He leaves behind his wife Amanda and family. He was 57.
“We mourn the tragic loss of these letter carriers,” NALC President Fredric Rolando stated. “On behalf of the entire NALC, we send our deepest sympathies and condolences to their families, friends and co-workers.