James Power | Postmaster, 82

James Power, 82, of Springfield, Delaware County, a retired Lansdowne postmaster, died of cancer Friday, June 3, at home.

Mr. Power walked almost a mile to work in a suit and tie and sneakers, and changed to dress shoes at the post office. He also walked home for lunch and back home at the end of the day.

After he retired, he walked from 18 to 21 miles a day. "I just like to walk. It makes me feel good," he told Inquirer columnist Tom Fox in 1984.

Mr. Power grew up with eight siblings in Lansdowne. During World War II, with the shortage of manpower, he helped out at the Lansdowne post office while attending Lansdowne-Aldan High School. After graduating, he became a postal clerk.

He served in the Air Force during the Korean War and was assigned to the post office at Fairchild Air Force Base near Spokane, Wash.

After his discharge, he returned to the Lansdowne post office. For the last 10 years of his career, he was postmaster until retiring in 1985. Then, for 15 years, he was an aftercare counselor at the Mirmont Treatment Center for drug and alcohol addiction in Lima.

Since 1957, Mr. Power had been married to Bridie Woods Power. They met at the Lansdowne post office. "He chatted up the customers," she said.

The couple raised a family in Lansdowne.

When he had to give up long walks temporarily after his first bout with cancer 22 years ago, he joined a gym and worked out every day, his wife said.

Mr. Power loved trips to Ireland, his wife's homeland. He was a fan of the Phillies and Eagles, and Notre Dame football and basketball.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, James; two sisters; a brother; and five grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass will be at noon Wednesday, June 8, at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 136 Saxer Ave., Springfield. Friends may call from 10. Burial will be in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Marple Township.