news-record.com

GREENSBORO — Even when he’s delivering bills, people like to see Robert McCance , who has carried mail on Elm Street downtown for a decade.

“We just love him to death, and the post office says they’re going to move him to a route on Market Street,” said Judy Morton at Action Greensboro.

His last shift was Friday.

Downtowners have asked the post office to keep him on Elm.

McCance’s shorts and moustached smile run year-round.

The shorts are a “macho thing,” he joked, from a bet made long ago. And the smile — well, he’s a nice guy.

“If they only understood there’s more to service than just dropping off and picking up,” McCance said of his bosses’ decision, as people wished him well.

They hugged him.

They fed him cupcakes.

“I feel like crying,” he said.

They credited his kindness.

“My husband passed away in January,” said Becky Causey, owner of The View on Elm, “and the mailman came to the funeral home for the memorial service.”

The U.S. Postal Service says the change is for efficiency, and they might review it.

“So maybe we could get Robert back?” Morton said. “That would be great.”

McCance would rather be on Elm Street.

He’ll end up there anyway.

“I’m going to be cremated when I die,” he said, recalling a recent talk with his daughter. “I told her to spread my ashes down Elm Street.”

Contact Gerald Witt at 373-7008 or gerald.witt@news-record.com