Recent letter carrier deaths

May 02, 2024

Carol Ford-Duncan of Seattle, WA Branch 79 passed on Jan. 15 after a long illness. Sister Ford-Duncan served her fellow letter carriers as a steward and safety lead, in addition to being a NALC member on the Safe Driver Award Committee. A letter carrier for 20 years, she will be remembered by her branch for her involvement in the food drive, potlucks, families in need and more. She was 70 years old.

Vincent Walsh, a member of Boston, MA Branch 34, passed away on Jan. 17, after collapsing while on duty. Brother Walsh was 66 years old with 40 years of service as a letter carrier.

Gary Tompkins, a life member and former vice president of Lansing, MI Branch 122, passed away on February 5. He was 80 years old and was a NALC member for 55 years. Brother Tompkins is survived by children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Gary will be greatly missed by his family, friends and fellow letter carriers.

Damian Dunning, a member of Chicago, IL Branch 11 died on March 3 after being shot. Brother Dunning was 41 years old with 8 years of service. He was survived by an 8-year-old son.

San Diego, CA Branch 70 member Gerald Duenas died on March 20 while on duty of natural causes. Brother Duenas was a letter carrier for 18 years. He was 55 years old.

Jay Larson of Rockford, IL Branch 245 was among the victims of a stabbing spree that occurred in a Rockford neighborhood on March 27. He was killed while on duty delivering mail to customers on his route. Brother Larson was 49 years old and had served his community as a letter carrier for 25 years. Jay is survived by his mother, siblings and other family members. He was greatly loved and appreciated by both his colleagues at the post office and his customers in the community, and he will be remembered for his unfailing positivity and kindness. Residents of Rockford, IL organized a display of blue balloons on their mailboxes in his memory, and Larson was further honored with a ceremony at the Harrison Avenue Post Office and a city-wide procession.

Gary Robinson, a member of Carmel, IN Branch 888, passed away on April 1 following a car accident. He was 71 years old. In addition to being a NALC member for almost 43 years, Brother Robinson formerly served as Branch Treasurer and a steward for his fellow letter carriers. Gary carried mail for 36 years before retiring. He is survived by his wife and four children.

Carmel, IN Branch 888 gold card member Robert Spears passed away of natural causes on April 10. Brother Spears, a Navy Veteran, was a member of NALC for 50 years and previously served as Branch President and a member of the Indiana State Executive Council. He is survived by his wife and children.

Joseph Morris, retired Regional Administrative Assistant in Region 14, passed away on April 17. He began carrying mail in 1969 and was a member of Boston, MA Branch 34. Brother Morris was 75 years old, and is survived by his wife, Shirlee.

Seattle, WA Branch 79 member and Shop Steward Teresa Danning passed away on April 18. She was 49 years old and served as a letter carrier for 23 years.

"NALC is deeply saddened by the deaths of these letter carriers," NALC President Brian L. Renfroe said. "On behalf of NALC, I recognize their decades of service and send my deepest sympathies to their families, friends and fellow letter carriers."

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