Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night could keep longtime postman Donnie Bauerle Jr. from the swift completion of his appointed rounds.
The O’Hara resident delivered the mail to Aspinwall and Sharpsburg residents and businesses for 37 years. His last day was April 30.
Aspinwall Mayor Joe Noro had declared that last Thursday of the month “Donnie Bauerle Day” and issued a proclamation to the mailman at council’s workshop meeting June 5.
“He’s made such an impact on a large amount of people,” Noro said. “The love that he’s shown. The big heart that he’s shown. (Him) delivering mail is incredible.
“Dogs love you. People love you. The older people in town, if they needed stamps, he’d go and buy the stamps. This guy has the biggest heart.”
Council President Jeff Harris said Bauerle’s impact on the community went beyond his occupation. He called Bauerle an “incredible person to our town” — who happened to deliver the mail.
Bauerle, 56, said he was not expecting all the accolades from Aspinwall.
“I’m overwhelmed,” said the 1985 Shaler Area graduate. “It was nice to know everything you do people appreciate very much. I’ve watched families grow up, and it’s been wonderful. Everybody’s like family. You get to know people. They become like your family.”
He started his career in 1989 working with his dad, Don Bauerle Sr., who also delivered the mail for quite some time. He steadily learned to love the people on his routes — and driving on the wrong side of the road to get to mailboxes.
“That’s one thing I do miss about it,” Bauerle said. “Once you learned driving on the other side, it’s fun. I wish my car was like that.”
He plans on spending more time with his family and hopes to take up racing at Lernerville Speedway in Buffalo Township during retirement.
Residents have been thanking Bauerle for his service and wishing him well the past few months.
Brittney Coburn, who has lived in Aspinwall for 14 years, said he is a “gem” of a human being. He often took time to ask about her family.
“He is always so friendly and he takes so much pride in his work,” Coburn said. “You can tell he loves what he does.”
He has given so much to this community, said Sarah Tuthill, who owns Gathering Boards by EZPZ Gatherings.
“We are really going to miss him,” Tuthill said.
Addie Perkins of Aspinwall said he is the “kindest” person.
He always asks how everyone is doing. He brightens everyone’s day.
“He is genuine,” Perkins said. “We are happy for him, but we are definitely going to miss him.”
Residents took up an online collection through us.grouptogether.com as a way to show their appreciation.
They were able to raise several hundred dollars.
