Oakland Post Office Renamed After WWII Veteran

OAKLAND, NJ —For four years, Frank Leone's family worked tirelessly to have the local post office renamed in his honor.

Now it is.

President Donald Trump renamed the Oakland post office at 332 Ramapo Valley Road the Frank Leone Post Office. Trump signed House Resolution 6428 Dec. 21.

Leone was a World War II veteran. After returning home from the war, Leone and his wife moved to Oakland. President Lyndon B. Jonson appointed Leone to the position of postmaster in 1967.

Leone died Sept. 7, 2014 at 84.

Mayor Linda Schwager and the Borough Council announced that an official ceremony renaming the post office would take place in the spring of 2019.

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

Rep. Josh Gottheimer, a Democrat representing New Jersey's 5th Congressional District, sponsored the legislation changing the name.

"To me, there is no commitment more sacred than the one to those who have bravely served our nation. Today marked a major step forward in honoring of one of these brave veterans, longtime Oakland resident, postmaster, and Fire Chief Frank Leone," Gottheimer previously said. "I'm proud to celebrate and recognize Frank's life. North Jersey veterans deserve any assistance they need after valiantly serving their country."

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photo: Frank Leone's family with Rep. Josh Gottheimer (Borough of Oakland)