Gottheimer Announces Introduction of Bipartisan Legislation to Rename Oakland Post Office in Vet’s Honor

WWII Vet Frank Leone Served As Oakland Postmaster for 48 Years

OAKLAND,  N.J. — Today, Friday, July 20, 2018, Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) announced the introduction of his bipartisan bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 332 Ramapo Valley Road in Oakland, New Jersey, as the “Frank Leone Post Office.”

At the Oakland Senior Citizen Center, Gottheimer was joined by Frank’s widow Ellen, their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, veterans from the American Legion Post 369 and across Bergen County, Oakland Mayor Linda Schwager and members of the Oakland Council, current Oakland Postmaster Stacy Valerius, former Bergen County Sheriff Leo McGuire, former Oakland Chamber of Commerce President Charlie Wright, and local first responders to take a huge step towards rightfully honoring this standout citizen.

Frank served our nation in the Navy during World War II as a flight deck crewman aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge—a ship Frank’s father helped build. After returning, Frank moved to Oakland with his wife Ellen, where, in 1967, he was formally appointed Postmaster of the Oakland Post Office by President Lyndon B. Johnson. He was the last presidentially appointed Postmaster in New Jersey.

Frank served as Postmaster for 48 years, during which time he also served as the President of the Oakland Chamber of Commerce, an active member of the American Legion Post 369 and the Franklin Lakes VFW, Oakland’s Fire Chief, Director of Emergency Management, and Civil Defense Defender, a Deacon at the Ramapo Valley Baptist Church, and the National Vice President of the National Association of Postmasters.

The bill is the result of nearly four years of hard work by Frank’s family, friends, former colleagues, and local elected officials, including Oakland Mayor Linda Schwager and members of the Oakland Council. The bill is cosponsored by the New Jersey Delegation — Representatives Norcross, LoBiondo, MacArthur, Smith, Pallone, Lance, Sires, Pascrell, Payne, Frelinghuysen, and Watson Coleman.

“To me, there is no commitment more sacred than the one to those who have bravely served our nation. Today, I was proud to announce the introduction of my bipartisan legislation to officially rename the Oakland Post Office—located at 332 Ramapo Valley Road—in honor of one of these brave veterans, longtime Oakland resident, Postmaster, and Fire Chief Frank Leone,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “I’m proud to celebrate this important step toward delivering Frank the recognition he deserves. North Jersey veterans deserve any assistance they need after valiantly serving their country. The last thing these veterans should have to face is red tape and bureaucratic roadblocks, so I want any North Jersey veteran, first responder, or active service member to contact my office. That’s why I’m here.”

“I have the joy of being Frank’s wife for 60 years. Truth be told, his funeral was on our 60th wedding anniversary,” said Ellen Leone. “I cannot think of any bigger honor for Frank than to have his name mentioned with Oakland in the same breath.”

A one pager on Gottheimer’s legislation can be found HERE.

Video of Gottheimer’s announcement can be found HERE.