Saturday, November 8, 2025
Joe Providence, a local legend in the Elmont community, retired from United Parcel Service after delivering packages to residents for the last 24 years of his 31-year tenure at the company. Known for his bright demeanor and caring personality, Providence delivered between 300-400 packages to residents daily, always with a smile.
Managers and crewmembers gathered at the UPS Nassau Hub in Uniondale Sept. 26 for a short retirement celebration, coordinated by the Locustwood Gotham Civic Association. The group gathered in front of the Mitchell Field management office, which manages 70 delivery routes including Elmont, and grabbed bagels as manager Dave Janosek and Bob Barker, president of the civic association, shared a few words about Providence’s decades-long legacy at the company.
“Joe has gotten to know almost everybody on his route,” Janosek said to the dozens of crewmembers that attended the celebration. Janosek said Providence was the last of the ‘Fab Five’ to retire — a group of five delivery drivers who worked the Elmont route alongside him, all of whom Janosek could always rely on.
The long-time delivery driver was awarded a citation from the Town of Hempstead, as well as two citations from the civic association and a $300 gift card to take his family out for dinner.
Providence, who grew up in Elmont and now lives in the Bronx, did not have a permanent route at first and instead filled in for absent drivers each day. However, after spending several years as a cover driver, a vacancy opened in the Elmont community and he put in a bid for it. He was soon granted the route.
“It’s been great,” Providence said. “The people are phenomenal. I’ve never been treated with more kindness and respect since I’ve been on a route.”
He said one reason so many Elmont residents knew him was because of his outgoing personality, and he would often go out of his way to speak with customers.
“I like to be out talking to people and doing the best service that I can,” Providence said. “It makes me feel good when I can help someone while also doing my job.”
Janosek said Providence has been integral to UPS’s hub in Uniondale since the beginning of his tenure. Oftentimes, he said, when newer crew members became overwhelmed in their first week on the job, Providence would pull them aside and help calm them down.
“He’s talked people off the ledge several times,” Janosek said. “He’s very outgoing, very caring, and makes sure everybody gets what they need.”
Since serving the Elmont community, Barker said Providence made a positive impression on every resident he’s delivered packages to.
“I don’t even know what to say about Joe,” Barker said. “Joe made sure that everyone in the community was covered. He went above and beyond. It’s been an honor and a pleasure to have him for all these years.”
Barker said he and the other members of Locustwood Gotham had planned the retirement celebration over two years ago. They initially thought Providence was going to retire in 2023, Barker recalled, and the civic association had coordinated a brief toast to him during its annual block party on Sussex Road that year.
However, Providence was unable to attend that year or the following year, so Barker held onto the citation and waited to properly present it to him ever since. Barker finally presented it during the Sept. 26 celebration.
It will be a difficult task to replace Providence’s role in the community, Barker lamented. He said he hopes whoever steps into the role next will continue his high quality of service.
“He has an incredible personality,” Barker said. “He’s someone who’s always friendly, and you don’t find that everywhere it’s rare. He’s just unique, and words can’t even express who he is. And he was like that every day.”
Providence said he’s built many strong relationships with his coworkers over the past three decades. He added that his reputation at the company has extended beyond the Mitchell Field office, and many crewmembers that he’s never met before still know him by name — a testament to the legacy he leaves behind.
“Being on route for so long, you become family,” Providence said of the Elmont community. “But I’m also going to miss the comradery of the drivers that I’ve known for so many years. You could say it’s bittersweet.”
