Grateful residents and colleagues give Dennis a send-off to remember
Tears were shed when Dennis was met with the surprise send off
A popular postman was moved to tears when colleagues and customers ambushed him with cards and presents on his penultimate round.
Dennis Williams, who has cracked jokes and made those living on the Shearling Estate in Holloway smile for the last 42 years, posted his last parcel on Friday – but will never be forgotten or replaced, residents said.
More than a dozen turned up at the sorting office in North Road on Thursday morning last week, along with 30 postmen, to give the 62-year-old a hero’s welcome with Jeanette Dacoutea, who has lived on the estate for 35 years, performing a poem.
Trying to hold back tears, Dennis said: “I’m just overwhelmed, I wasn’t expecting this.
“I’ve just been myself every day, nothing special, but I’m glad you appreciated everything and I thank you for that.”
Ms Dacoutea also presented Dennis with several cards which it turned out he had unwittingly delivered himself to her address, along with a cheque for £505 from residents and an envelope full of elastic bands. He was also presented with a watch from his Royal Mail colleagues at the sorting office.
“I don’t think we’ll find another like him,” said Ms Dacoutea.
Postman Dennis toasts with resident Jeanette Dacoutea, who read out a poem she wrote for him
Tears were shed when Dennis was met with the surprise send off
A popular postman was moved to tears when colleagues and customers ambushed him with cards and presents on his penultimate round.
Dennis Williams, who has cracked jokes and made those living on the Shearling Estate in Holloway smile for the last 42 years, posted his last parcel on Friday – but will never be forgotten or replaced, residents said.
More than a dozen turned up at the sorting office in North Road on Thursday morning last week, along with 30 postmen, to give the 62-year-old a hero’s welcome with Jeanette Dacoutea, who has lived on the estate for 35 years, performing a poem.
Trying to hold back tears, Dennis said: “I’m just overwhelmed, I wasn’t expecting this.
“I’ve just been myself every day, nothing special, but I’m glad you appreciated everything and I thank you for that.”
Ms Dacoutea also presented Dennis with several cards which it turned out he had unwittingly delivered himself to her address, along with a cheque for £505 from residents and an envelope full of elastic bands. He was also presented with a watch from his Royal Mail colleagues at the sorting office.
“I don’t think we’ll find another like him,” said Ms Dacoutea.
Postman Dennis toasts with resident Jeanette Dacoutea, who read out a poem she wrote for him
Dennis your time has come
Oh Dennis how can this be?
You are leaving Royal Mail entirely
You have been a Postman for so Long
Stopping our residents from going wrong
Letters and parcels and giving advice
Some OK and some not so nice
Talking out so loud, so many jokes you must be proud
Betting shops and Great Yarmouth give you pleasure
Is this how you will spend your leisure?
Delivering letters also gave you pleasure
Memories of these you will treasure
Whatever you may choose to do
Enjoy your time it is overdue
All that’s left for us to say
Is have a happy day
Now relax and don’t get lacquered
Or you will be bleeding knackered
“I didn’t think people thought so highly of me.
“He has time for everyone and he will always stop and have a joke.
“We all wish him good luck in his retirement and thank him for all the good work.”
Dennis, who lives just off Caledonian Road, plans to spend some of his retirement time in Great Yarmouth on the south east coast.
“I’ve had 42 years working with a great bunch of lads,” Dennis said.
Manager Kenny Adewuyi and Dennis Williams
“They and all the residents have made it really special.”
Dennis’s manager at the sorting office, Kenny Adewuyi, said his longest serving postie was a rare breed.
“You won’t find a harder or more diligent worker and today was a great show of affection. His emotion today says a lot about the man, it shows how much it means to him.
“He’s a man of integrity who stands by his word. I’ve had no issues with him and he always comes in on time, he picks the guys up and he’s a role model.
“I wish I had another 30 Dennises.”
but don't they have it easier in London ? 
