News & information

Recent letter carrier deaths from COVID-19 and other causes

The NALC is deeply saddened to learn of an additional five letter carriers lost to COVID-19, a carrier lost on-duty, and the passing of Donald Coughlin, President Emeritus of Branch 725.

Recent letter carrier deaths due to coronavirus

Samuel Williams died Feb. 21, 2021, at age 87. Brother Williams served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. After serving his country in the Army for 27 years, he went on to serve his country with the Postal Service in 1979. He retired in 1996 after 17 years. Samuel was a member of Branch 176, Baltimore, MD. He is survived by his sons Jeffrey and Gregory.

James Grenon died Apr. 11, 2021. James started his postal career in 1978 and carried for 27 years before his retirement in 2005. Brother Grenon was a member of Branch 529, Port Huron, MI. Prior to his postal career, James became a Vietnam War veteran, serving in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1968 to 1970. He is survived by his wife Maryann and children. He was 72.

Clarence Stonesifer died Apr. 30, 2021. Brother Stonesifer was drafted into the U.S. Army near the end of World War II. He went on to join the National Guard and served for 22 years. After his military career, he picked up a satchel as a letter carrier. Clarence retired in 1988 with over 20 years of service. He was a member of Branch 176, Baltimore, MD. Clarence is survived by his wife Helen, and children Clarence Jr., Susan, Sharon, and Jennifer. He was 93.

Sek Leong Ang died Apr. 19, 2021. Brother Ang started with the Postal Service in 2005. He worked at the Peck Slip office and was a member of Vincent R. Sombrotto Branch 36, New York, NY. He leaves behind his wife and three children. He was 62.

Danny Rodriguez died May 12, 2021. Danny was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He joined the Postal Service in 1984 and retired after 30 years of service. Brother Rodriguez was a member of Carl J. Kennedy Branch 704, Tucson, AZ. He is survived by his wife and three children.

Letter carrier who died in the line of duty

David Jacobs died May 29, 2021, while in the performance of his duties from apparent natural causes. Brother Jacobs was a CCA that started just two months prior. He worked at the White Plains, NY, Post Office and became a member of Westchester Merged Branch 693. He was 62.

Branch 725 President Emeritus Donald Coughlin dies

The NALC mourns the passing of Donald Coughlin on Apr. 3, 2021. Brother Coughlin was a veteran. Following his military service, he joined the Post Office Department in 1963 and later became a participant of the Great Postal Strike. Donald went on to serve his brothers and sisters as a branch president for over 30 years. He retired from the Postal Service in 1992. Brother Coughlin was a gold card NALC member with 58 years of membership, belonging to Southeast PA Merged Branch 725. He died of natural causes at the age of 86 and is survived by his wife Frannie.

“On behalf of the entire NALC, we send our deepest condolences and sympathies to the family, friends, and co-workers of these letter carriers lost to the coronavirus and natural causes” President Rolando stated. “Brother Coughlin spent decades building and improving his branch to better serve his fellow brothers and sisters and should be recognized for his contributions. He will be missed.”