Postal Service reinstates beloved Port Jervis postal worker fired after 5 decades

Tom Calvario’s union rep tells News 12 that they negotiated with the United States Postal Service to get the 75-year-old's job back.

Blaise Gomez

May 30, 2024, 4:59 PM

Updated 131 days ago

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A beloved, longtime mailman in Port Jervis whose firing sparked community outrage last year will now soon be back on the job.
Tom Calvario’s union rep tells News 12 that they negotiated with the United States Postal Service to get the 75-year-old's job back.
Calvario was let go last December. He told News 12 at the time that he got a letter of “unsatisfactory service” for allegedly not delivering the mail fast enough.
Joe DeStefano, the president of the National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 137, says they are delighted by the Postal Service's change of heart.
“We are pleased to have finally come to an agreement with the Postal Service and have Brother Calvario return to his route next week. His dedication to his craft and the people he delivers to is such an inspiration to anyone who does this type of work," says DeStefano. "It is easy to see why the people of Port Jervis have shown so much love and respect towards him. He is and always be a big part of the community.”
USPS has declined to comment.
Port Jervis Mayor Dominic Cicalese tells News 12 he's also grateful Calvario will be back on the job.
"The entire town and surrounding community is extremely happy Tom was able to get his job back," says Cicalese. "To say Tom has been a fixture in our town, especially in our downtown business district, is a drastic understatement. Tom is Port Jervis and what makes our city great. I’ve had the distinct pleasure of knowing Tom my entire life and couldn’t be happier for him. "