This was the final day at the office for Postmaster David Squires at the Chesterton Branch of the U.S. Post Office.

Squires who took the position of Postmaster here in 2001, said he thought it was time.

“My last official act is cleaning my office,” he said surrounded by farewell gifts from employees.

“I have always liked this area and want to thank all the wonderful people in the community and the wonderful employees,” he said.

“I am proud of what we accomplished with the food drive and with breast cancer walks and stamps,” he added.

This branch now has 10,670 deliveries in the 46304 zip code area which includes Chesterton, Porter, Burns Harbor and Dune Acres. With the growth, there will be some changes, he warned.

Squires plans to continue working on Fridays at the homeless shelter in Michigan City and will add some volunteer activities now that he is retired. He also plans to spend time with his grandchildren and travel.

“I’ve been working since I was 12 years old. I can still roll a paper without using a rubber band and flip it to hit the right spot,” he said with a smile.

Squires served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam and worked at Bethlehem Steel before going into the post office service. He will have worked 38 years in the postal service.

The Interim Postmaster will be James Rudaski, who is now working in Cedar Lake.

Posted 10/3/2008