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Lost NALC Brothers and Sisters

James Baxter

Former National Business Agent Wayne White passes away

The NALC is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former National Business Agent Wayne White on Sept. 16, 2021. Brother White spent decades serving his country, his fellow brothers and sisters, and his community.

After graduating from high school, Brother White joined the Army. After two years of service he went on to become a city letter carrier with the Post Office Department in 1959. Wayne became active in his branch and was elected president of Branch 876, Goldsboro, NC, where he served for many years. He further went on to become the president of the North Carolina State Association of Letter Carriers. In 1976 he was elected as National Business Agent of Region 9 (known at the time as the Atlanta Region), where he served for 14 years.

Brother White retired from the Postal Service in 1991 with 32 years of service. He became the Director of Retired Members for the North Carolina State Association of Letter Carriers where he remained until his passing. He was also a gold card member of the NALC, with an impressive 61 years of membership. Wayne even went on to become a pastor for Smithfield Pentecostal Holiness Church and serve his community spiritually.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Barbara Jean, and children Tony and Zana, as well as five grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

“Wayne was a passionate union activist and a good friend,” NALC President Fredric Rolando said. “He will be sorely missed, and on behalf of the entire NALC, we send our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”

Coronavirus deaths

Karl Heinrich died Aug. 2, 2021, at the age of 63. Brother Heinrich started carrying mail in 2004 and signed on as a member of Branch 217. He worked at the Delta office in Jackson, MS. He is survived by his wife Pat, and children Kenneth and John.

Reginald Fuqua Jr died Aug. 4, 2021. Reginald was a member of Branch 1100, Garden Grove, CA, and worked in Venice. He started with the Postal Service 15 years ago in 2006. Brother Fuqua was a single parent of three children. He was 43.

Robbie Carnley died Aug. 18, 2021. Robbie started her postal career in 2000 at age 19 and worked at the Atmore Post Office. Sister Carnley was a member of Branch 469, Mobile, AL. She leaves behind her husband Jerry, and children Jerry, Cooper, Amber, and Lilly. She was 39.

Daniel Frase died Sept. 18, 2021. Brother Frase served in the Navy before his employment with the Postal Service, which started in 1994. He worked at the Opelika Post Office and belonged to Capital City Branch 106, Montgomery, AL. Daniel is survived by his sons Collin and Evan. He was 52.

Charles Wood died Sept. 18, 2021. Charles was an Air Force veteran of Desert Storm/Desert Shield. In 1993 he joined the Postal Service. Brother Wood was a member of Branch 148 Akron, OH, and worked at the Five Points Station. He leaves behind his wife Pamela, and children Matthew, A.J., Nathan, and Sammy. He was 57.

Debra Evil died Sept. 21, 2021. She worked at the Nobles Station and was a member of Branch 321, Pensacola, FL. Sister Evil started carrying mail in 1999 and served her fellow members as a long-time steward and union official. She was 57.

Maurilio Rodriguez died Oct. 4, 2021, at the age of 46. Brother Rodriguez started his career in 2019 and worked at the Woodburn Post Office. He was a member of Branch 347, Salem, OR. Maurilio leaves behind his wife, son, and daughter.

David Wengel died Oct. 8, 2021. Dave started his career with the Postal Service in 1994. Brother Wengel was a member of Long Island Merged Branch 6000 and worked at the Levittown Post Office. He was 64.

David Diaz died Oct. 9, 2021, at the age of 51. He has been with the Postal Service for 17 years and worked at the Oroville Post Office. Brother Diaz was a member of Branch 133, Sacramento, CA. David helped represent his brothers and sisters on the workroom floor as a shop steward. He leaves behind his wife and three children.

On-duty deaths

Robert Cibulka died of a heart attack while delivering his route on Aug. 17, 2021. Brother Cibulka was a dedicated letter carrier with 30 years on the job. He started his career in Royal Oak, MI, and worked there until a transfer in 2005. He then worked at the Eastpointe Post Office and belonged to Branch 4374 Utica, MI. Robert will join his late son Colton. He was 60.

Anvorak “Ann” Fiame died Sept. 7, 2021, in a motor vehicle accident. Ann started her postal career in 2007. She was a member of George T. Russell Merged Branch 576, Phoenix, AZ, and worked at the Maryvale Station. Sister Fiame leaves behind her husband Ututofo Migao, and children Marcus, Shian, Taylor, and Lauifi. She was 52.

Joel Misola died Sept. 7, 2021, at the age of 48, after suffering a heart attack while on duty. Brother Misola previously worked as a rural letter carrier. He became a city letter carrier just three weeks prior to his passing. He was a member of Branch 2502, Las Vegas, NV.

Michael Silvestri died Sept. 20, 2021, in an accident when another vehicle ran a stop sign and collided with his mail truck. Michael worked at the Bradenton Carrier Annex and was a member of Branch 1753, Bradenton, FL. Brother Silvestri started his career in 2014, and served his fellow brothers and sisters as a carrier academy instructor. He is survived by his wife Megan and his stepdaughter. He was 41.

Carlos Rivera died Oct. 6, 2021. He was found unresponsive in his delivery vehicle after suffering a heart attack. Brother Rivera was an Army veteran of Desert Storm in the 82nd Airborne Division. After serving his country, Brother Rivera became a letter carrier in 2000. He worked at the Carolina Post Office and was a member of Branch 869, San Juan, PR. He leaves behind his wife Ada, and children John and Stephanie. He was 58.

Louis Vignone died Oct. 7, 2021, after being shot on his route. Louis had followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Postal Service in 1988 and had 33 years of service. He worked at the Greentree Post Office and belonged to Branch 84, Pittsburgh, PA. Brother Vignone leaves behind his wife Johnna, and children Allyson, Vinnie, and Nicholas. He was 58.

“On behalf of the entire NALC, we mourn the passing of these letter carriers who lost their lives to the coronavirus and those who died on-duty.” President Rolando said. “We send our sympathies and deepest condolences to their friends, families, and co-workers.”