East Rockaway Post Office to be renamed

The U.S. House of Representatives passed Rep. Carolyn McCarthy’s (D-NY4) bill to rename the East Rockaway, New York Post Office after a letter carrier and local resident who worked there for over 60 years. The H.R. 2079 bill will officially name the post office in East Rockaway the “John J. Cook Post Office.”

  “John Cook served the East Rockaway community as a letter carrier for multiple generations of families,” McCarthy said.  “For over 60 years, Mr. Cook proved to be a model federal employee by displaying professionalism, courtesy, and tireless dedication. He was truly a remarkable individual and this will be a fitting tribute to an extraordinary man. I’m proud to have helped in this effort to honor the memory of this outstanding American citizen.”

“John loved his job,” said Cook’s widow, Roberta. “He would be so happy to see the place where he dedicated so much of his life named after him. I’m so proud of him and am grateful to Congresswoman McCarthy and everyone else who are working to make this happen. This honor is truly overwhelming and and well deserved, although I’m sure John wouldn’t see it that way, he was so modest.”

  “It’s truly fitting that the United States honors the late John Cook for his tireless devotion to East Rockaway for the greater part of a century,” said Town of Hempstead Councilman Anthony J. Santino, who brought the story of Cook to McCarthy’s attention. “As one of our nation’s longest serving letter carriers, John left a great legacy. His widow, Roberta, as well as all his family, friends and East Rockaway neighbors should be proud of his lengthy and distinguished service to our community.  I’m so glad that John’s memory and smiling face will be honored in perpetuity at 10 Main Street — the soon-to-be renamed John J. Cook United States Post Office.” 

  After serving in World War II in the Pacific theater, Cook began working for the local post office and quickly became an integral part of the East Rockaway community.  Day in and day out for the next 60 years, he took pride in his work delivering the mail to his friends and neighbors in East Rockaway.  He consistently went above and beyond his expected duties by doing things like inquiring about his customers’ health whenever he knew someone on his route had been sick.  At times, he even canceled family vacations because the post office needed him for a last-minute shift.  His commitment and service to East Rockaway have made him a well-loved and greatly admired member of the community.

  Having passed the full House of Representatives, the legislation now moves to the Senate for a vote before it can be signed into law by the president.

Sean Harmon contributed to this story.