When he was here we didn't notice him that much because it always seemed like he was on skates. But when he wasn't here, everyone noticed.

John "Jack" Lissenden was a clerk and then a mail carrier at the Massapequa Park Post office from 1984 to 1994. After that, he took over the job of custodian. And, oh boy, what a great job he did.

Jack was meticulous about his work. He made us all so proud about the building we worked in. After he scooted around the floor, cleaning, tidying, straightening, everything looked so good, so fresh, like new. It was just a pleasure to see the work floor so orderly with everything in its place. There was never any job too big, too difficult or too messy for Jack to tackle. He had so much pride in his work, almost as much as he had for his service in Vietnam and in his team, the Mets. Always cheerful, always concerned for the comfort and safety of his colleagues and his customers, it was not uncommon to find Jack at work as soon as the first snowflake fell. He was that kind of guy.

Jack passed away suddenly over the weekend. The shock of his death is easing somewhat and we continue to keep up with our daily routines. But we wanted the community, his customers who knew him and even the customers who didn't know him that even though Jack worked behind the scenes he made such a difference in everything he touched ... and in every heart he touched as well.

By Postmaster Rae Culotta and his family at the Massapequa Park Post Office