USPS mail carrier Jose Urrutia stands for a portrait in his mail cubicle while he preps his route for his last day at the Bryant Street Post Office on July 31, 2023.
Postal workers have long played a crucial role in serving communities by delivering mail and packages. They are an important part of the neighborhood, tying in everyday deliveries and necessary information all while being a friendly face to residents along the way.
USPS mail carrier Jose Urrutia was one such face, after serving Noe Valley for 37 ½ years, he retired on July 31st of this year. Urrutia, 67, started on Jan 18, 1986 and spent his career stationed at Bryant Street Post Office. He would sometimes cover or add on different neighborhoods when assigned, but mainly delivered throughout Noe Valley and had the same specific route for the last 14 years. When asked what he enjoyed most about the job, he said, “The interactions I had with my customers, I loved the job security and providing service to [my community] by bringing them their mail.” Letter carriers like Jose personify community in the phrase “community service”.
USPS mail carrier Jose Urrutia embraces his longtime client and friend Brett O’Hare as he says goodbye during his route on his last day in Noe Valley on July 31, 2023. USPS mail carrier Jose Urrutia files through mail during one of stops during his route in Noe Valley on his last day on July 31, 2023.
USPS mail carrier Jose Urrutia hugs one of his longtime customers during his route on his last day serving Noe Valley on July 31, 2023. USPS mail carrier Jose Urrutia smiles after taking a group photo in the Makras Real Estate office during a stop in his route on his last day serving Noe Valley before retiring on July 31, 2023.USPS mail carrier Jose Urrutia picks up a package while delivering mail during his last route in Noe Valley before retiring on July 31, 2023.
USPS mail carrier Jose Urrutia holds a gift and letter from one of his longtime clients during his last route serving Noe Valley before retiring on July 31, 2023.
USPS mail carrier Jose Urrutia files through mail during one of stops during his route in Noe Valley on his last day on July 31, 2023.
USPS mail carrier Jose Urrutia files through mail during one of stops during his route in Noe Valley on his last day on July 31, 2023.
Espera pasar más tiempo con sus nietos y viajar. USPS mail carrier Jose Urrutia finishes up his last day working for the post office at the Bryant Street Station before retiring after 37 ½ years on July 31, 2023. He looks forward to spending more time with his grandkids and traveling.
