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APPROVAL Don Orr has fond memories, and few regrets, as he retires after 40* years as a ‘postie’ ra Tru FU In forty-plus years with Canada Post, Don Orr has seen it all: every weather pattern imaginable, surly pets, and sometimes even grouchier people. But those are the negatives of his lengthy and var- ied working lifetime. And if you talk to Don, you'll hear those downsides mentioned only in passing, and sometimes with the hint of a wry smile. The lighter and more interesting aspects — the “positives” provided by a job spent daily out in public — dominate his recol- lections. Because if ever a man was well suited to his job, Don Orr — “the postie” to many who never knew his name — was that man. But in fact, that life was never sup- posed to happen. “1 grew up in Glen Miller, north of Trenton, a village of 120 people...a hundred of ‘em relatives,” he chuck- les. “I was interested in the newspa- per business, so I apprenticed as a printer, starting when I was fifteen.” Well before the days of comput- er-generated page layouts, Don's learning curve included the prepa- ration and use of lead type. For six years, he absorbed every aspect of the business available at the local paper, The Trentonian. But when it came time to “graduate,” Don was in for a rude surprise. “Boss brought me in just as my ap- prenticeship was ending,” he remem- bers. “Of course I expected to carry on at The Trentonian, where I pretty much Please turn to page 44 Don Orr is a familiar face around town, but there are many unfamiliar with his career FOCUS - DECEMBER 2014 43