Oakland Post Office Could Be Renamed In Vet's Honor This Week

OAKLAND, NJ —Frank Leone's name might not be well-known in the borough now, but soon it could be.

The U.S. House of Representatives is slated to vote this week on the Frank Leone Post Office Act, which would rename the post office at 332 Ramapo Valley Road after Leone in his honor.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat representing New Jersey's 5th Congressional District, introduced legislation earlier this year renaming the post office. (See related: Oakland Post Office Could Be Renamed In Veteran's Honor)

"I cannot think of any bigger honor for Frank than to have his name mentioned with Oakland in the same breath," Leone's widow Ellen said earlier this year.

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 48 years. He died Sept. 7, 2014 at age 87.

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

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

"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

Photo: A Google screenshot of the Oakland Post Office on Ramapo Valley Road