Oakland Post Office Could Be Renamed In Veteran's Honor

OAKLAND, NJ — Frank Leone served his family, his community, and his country. Now, he may be honored for that service the way few are.

Leone was a Navy veteran of World War II. He was appointed postmaster of the Oakland Post Officer in 1967 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, a position he held for nearly a half century.

Now, after four years of effort by his family, the United States Post Office on Ramapo Valley Road may be renamed the Frank Leone Post Office.

Leone was a flight deck crewman abroad the aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge, a ship his father helped build, for the US Navy during World War II.

After returning home, Leone moved to Oakland with his wife, Ellen. In 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson appointed Leone postmaster of the Oakland Post Office. Leone was the last presidentially appointed postmaster in New Jersey.

Leone served as Oakland postmaster for 48 years. He died Sept. 7, 2014 at 87.

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

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5th) introduced bipartisan legislation recently to rename the post office.

“To me, there is no commitment more sacred than the one to those who have bravely served our nation," Gottheimer said. "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."

Email daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Congressman Gottheimer announces the introduction of the Frank Leone Post Office Act alongside Frank's widow Ellen, their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and local veterans and first responders at the Oakland Senior Citizen Center (Courtesy of Rep. Josh Gottheimer's office)