Sleet, snow or rain never stopped him.
A dedicated Long Island mail carrier and Army veteran has been honored by the US Postal Service for his more than 30-year career and “commitment to public service,” the agency said.
Eugene Leader, a longtime letter carrier in Manhasset, was recently recognized as part of the USPS’s “Long-Haul Campaign” — honoring “postal heroes who have become integral parts of the neighborhoods they serve,” USPS said.
A Saint Kitts native who now lives in Queens, Leader spent years in the Army before joining the USPS in 1990. He was eventually handed the Manhasset route, where he has served the same 205 delivery points since 2007, the USPS said in a press release.
His route – a combination of residential addresses and businesses that require Leader to walk and drive – has provided him with a deeper sense of community, he said.
“I like the job because it’s a way to help people,” Leader added, noting one of the highlights is the connections he gets to form with the community.
“People are very chatty throughout the day. “Very friendly.”
Balancing his duties as an active Army Reserve member and a mail carrier, Leader says he’s looking forward to retirement one day, following decades of civil service.
USPS officials lauded him for his dedication and commitment.
“Our letter carriers, retail associates, and postmasters are the heartbeat of the neighborhoods they serve,” said John Tortorice, the district manager of New York. “Eugene Leader exemplifies the commitment to public service and excellence we strive for.”
While he isn’t quite ready to call it quits – Leader is looking forward to the freedom to decide when he wants to go outdoors.
“I’ll still go on walks,” he joked. “But only if it’s nice out.”
USPS did not immediately return The Post’s request for comment on Monday.