Thickwood says goodbye as Fort McMurray mail service retires after almost 40 years

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Bob Snow might be one of many few mail carriers that canines love seeing. For 40 years, he was a well-recognized face as a mail service for Canada Submit, with 37 of these years in Thickwood. He beloved petting and feeding canines on his route, regardless that Canada Submit instructed him it was in opposition to coverage. Now he can spend on a regular basis he desires with canines as he retires.

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To ship him off, a few of the individuals within the neighbourhood he walked for almost 4 a long time gathered on the Thickwood Gazebo to point out their appreciation for him. They spent $1,200 to sponsor a kennel on the Fort McMurray SPCA for a full yr in his title. Additionally they donated so many canine cookies that they overflowed two picnic tables. Snow delivered them to the SPCA on Wednesday.

“I’ve at all times fed them as a result of I’ve at all times recognized them from them since they have been puppies,” he stated at his social gathering. “I’ve by no means, ever gotten bit on this route.”

Snow’s complete profession with Canada Submit has been in Fort McMurray, and has been an impactful one. From dancing with a divorcee ready for her papers to reach, to sharing pleasure over necessary deliveries, giving further flyers to a savvy shopper or an air horn to a mother strolling her baby to highschool in bear territory, there was no scarcity of tales about Snow’s kindness, humour and generosity.

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The interview with Snow needed to cease a number of instances due to individuals who needed a hug, handshake, to share a form phrase, or all three. Laila Goodridge, Conservative MP for Fort McMurray-Chilly Lake, gave Snow a certificates thanking him for his service to the group.

“It’s fairly emotional. I didn’t count on this,” he stated. “It’s been superb. I’ve met so many associates and the individuals have all been so pleasant.”

The part of Thickwood he walked noticed loads of modifications as Fort McMurray grew, though lots of the properties within the neighbourhood are older and haven’t modified. Seeing the individuals change has been a tremendous expertise, although.

He remembers some individuals on his route have been infants or not even born when he began in 1983. The most important joys he had on the job was watching the second era of Thickwood residents develop up, and the view.

His presence took successful when Canada Submit began phasing out door-to-door service starting in 2014 and 2015. The private contact is one thing he’s missed throughout his closing years on the job. He didn’t thoughts that his route was roughly 23 kilometres.

“I received numerous older individuals I’ve checked on over time,” he stated. “I’ve had individuals cease on a regular basis once I’m on the websites. The individuals have been probably the greatest elements of this job.”

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