According to Bremen resident, Judy Mohr, approximately 60 townspeople turned out to bid a happy retirement to Bremen Postmaster Scott Giguere and Assistant Postmaster Linda Autio.
Giguere and Autio retired July 31 and were honored with a party Aug. 2.
Giguere served Bremen for 29 years; Autio for 24 years. Bremen showed its appreciation toward the two with wonderful food, and a beautiful cake, decorated in the red, white and blue of the postal service.
According to Mohr, many Bremen residents fondly remembered Giguere venturing out on Christmas Eve to make deliveries, so there would be presents under many trees.
Another source of amusement was how Giguere was spotted recently on Rt. 32 digging a hole. When asked what he was doing, Giguere said, “For 29 years, I didn’t need a mailbox. Now I do.”
“I was overwhelmed,” Giguere said of the party. “The generosity of the town was very touching.”
In appreciation, Giguere and Autio were awarded commemorative plaques.
The wording Giguere’s caused a chuckle. It thanked him for 29 years of service to the people and town of Bremen, “and to a limitless knowledge of local news…,” he said.
Of the wording Giguere said, “I’ve always said, ‘we don’t start rumors, but we will perpetuate them.'”
With small post offices nationwide required to cut down hours, or possibly be eliminated altogether, changes have been afoot since it was announced in March 2012 that 244 Maine post offices are required to reduce their hours of operation.
Bremen’s hours of operation were reduced and the U.S. Postal Service has been offering incentives for post office workers to take early retirement.
“I received a buy-out as the full-time employee,” Giguere said.
Giguere’s Assistant Postmaster Autio was also deeply touched by the outpouring of friendship during the party. “It was great because all our friends were there and we chatted with everyone and everyone wished us well,” she said.
Autio said of working with Giguere, “It was great, just absolutely great. He was the best boss anyone could ever have. We got along well…it made those 24 years really nice.”
