Local: Beloved mailman retires after 29 years.
After 29 years of loyalty and service, beloved letter carrier Fred Shih retires
SAN JOSE >> As the sun rose over the Blossom Hill Station Post Office on Monday, Fu “Fred” Shih got ready to deliver mail all over Blossom Hill as he always does.
But this day was bittersweet. After 29 years of carrying letters, this was his last day. And, as he dropped the last mail in the final slot at 3:50 p.m., Shih walked off with a grin on his face and a “thank you” for the Olive Garden employee behind the counter.
“It feels exciting, I’m happy,” Shih said. “I can’t wait to go home to my house and wife.”
Shih decided it was time to hang up the postal carrier bag for good after speaking with his wife and 37 year-old daughter a couple months ago. Now, he expects to be carrying his grandsons as he travels with his family visiting national parks.
“My wife asked me why I am working Monday,” Shih said. He was committed to working through the last day of the month, even though he didn’t really have to. “You start your job your first day, you finish your job your last day. That’s what you’re supposed to do.”
This dedication has radiated from Shih ever since he started delivering mail in 1988 at the Newark USPS Station. He later transferred to the St. James Station then relocated to the Blossom Hill Station, where he considered his co-workers as family for the past 25 years.
“As an immigrant to the United States, working for the United States Postal Service has been a dream come true,” said Shih, who left Taiwan for this country in 1985. “If you work hard, you find good benefits, from the big family I have here to the great management who take care of you.”
Although he has loved every minute of his service, he said he is ready to train the next generation
“You start your job your first day, you finish your job your last day. That’s what you’re supposed to do.” — Fu ‘Fred’ Shih, mail carrier for Blossom Hill Station
“It feels exciting, I’m happy,” Shih said. “I can’t wait to go home to my house and wife.” — Fu ‘Fred’ Shih, mail carrier for Blossom Hill Station
of letter carriers before his departure. While delivering mail from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. five and six days a week, Shih said his primary advice is safety. The sign letter carriers read while leaving for their daily routes reads, “Safety now means no accidents later.”
“The most important thing about this job is safety, you don’t want to hurt yourself while out in the field,” Shih shared.
Executive Host Post Master of San Jose Aron Jones presented Shih a certificate to celebrate his service to the community, remarking how his dedication shows the quality of the incredible people he has met while working for USPS.
“He is an example of a loyal employee, with all of these people here to celebrate his retirement, it shows the type of people you meet here in this career,” Jones said.
Acting USPS District Manager Jagdeep Grewal drove all the way from Oakland to shake Shih’s hand last Thursday at his retirement celebration, where many of his coworkers and management staff had the chance to thank and congratulate Shih for his service.
“We are always so grateful for people like you, and we wish you the best in your retirement,” she told Shih. “It’s hard to see one of your family members go, but we will always be grateful for your service.”
But that isn’t the only thing about Shih that is special — he always provides his service with a smile, according to Frank Estigoy, in charge of customer service at the Blossom Hill Station.
“His smile is just so infectious,” said Estigoy, who has worked with Shih for the past two years. “I never see him without a smile on his face.”
Estigoy said that he wished Shih plenty of restful years with his family and time to explore the National Parks, something Shih has enjoyed doing in his free time.
Shih said he will never forget the time he spent at Blossom Hill Station, but he is looking forward to many more happy years with his wife, daughter and two grandsons.
“Everyday you wake up is a beautiful day,” Shih said. “So I am smiling.”