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Baltimore Mailman Keeps On Going After 50 Years

LOCH RAVEN, Md. (WJZ) -- He's been delivering mail for 50 years and was just honored by the Postal Service for all his work.

But Andrea Fujii explains the oldest mailman in Baltimore has no intention of retiring. 

Stamps were just 3 cents when Joe Roberts, 72, first started at the U.S. Postal Service.

"I started off at $2 an hour, and I make quite a bit more than that now," said Roberts.

He's sorted mail and delivered it for 50 years, most recently in Loch Raven.

He says there's nothing he'd rather do.

"It's just a good job. I can't say nothing bad about it," said Roberts.

After half a century, there's now less mail to deliver, but some things have stayed the same.

"Be in shape, be in shape because it can be hard on you if you're not," said Roberts.

The old cliché of dogs and postmen rings true.  Roberts has been bit 22 times on the job.

"Just hazard of the job, I guess," said Roberts.

Contact with people is what he enjoys the most.

"I feel sorry for Joe because I am gone all the time and he always has to hold my mail," said one person. "He's the best, the best."

Though at his age, most would want to retire, that's not true for Roberts.

"Whatever happens to make me want to stop, it hasn't happened to me," said Roberts.

As residents wait for Christmas gifts to arrive, if Roberts is on your route, you'll be sure to get them on time.

Roberts was recently awarded a letter of recognition from retired Postmaster General John Potter for his years of service.

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