By Andy Kozlowski
C & G Staff Writer

MADISON HEIGHTS — It was the late ‘80s, early ‘90s. Through weather fair and foul, postman Tom Murray forged onward, from the carrier annex’s then-location at 12 Mile and John R, northward into the neighborhoods between John R and Milton.

But the 63-year-old Troy resident was never alone for long.

Aside from the families he watched grow up — “people who cared about me, worried about me; really, just all nice people” — he also had company in the form of a black dog, Booty, who leapt a fence in the 29000 block of Herbert and followed him each day.

The canine companion would sleep under a nearby sofa when Murray broke for lunch, and at the end of the day, it would wait patiently near his letter case, at which point Murray dutifully escorted it back home in his truck.

“Everybody knew the dog and thought it was mine,” Murray laughed. “Of course, my own dog wasn’t too happy when I got home,” as it could smell Booty’s scent.

“I’m a big dog lover,” he added. “Keep your dogs in your house and be nice to them. They are man’s best friend.”

Murray’s penchant for pooches was one of many endearing qualities his colleagues reminisced about at his farewell party Feb. 26.

After 30 years delivering mail in Madison Heights, along with another 12 years of government service as a Morse code operator in the Navy, Murray dropped his last letter — that of a well-deserved retirement — on the desk of Postmaster Jeff Helmuth, 48, of Royal Oak.

“The thing I respect about him the most is he never complains,” Helmuth said before a crowd of postal workers at the Troy office, as Murray received a certificate and a scrapbook compiled by friends. “He’s such a respected man. He comes to work every day, doesn’t complain and keeps chugging along. All his customers are going to miss him.”

When his colleagues chanted, “Speak, speak,” Murray, a soft-spoken personality quick to sidestep the limelight, dryly quipped, “It’s party time,” kicking off a feast of salad, subs, chili and cake that had fellow letter carriers musing about the man they saw each morn for decades.

“Even after delivering his route every day, he still goes out and walks his dogs at night, every night,” marveled Kara Fertner, 46, of Center Line.

“A fantasy baseball guru,” said Larry Rutz, 55, of Oakland Township.

“He’s got about 500 NASCAR collectible cars at home,” said John Curnan, 38, of Clinton Township, enjoying some race-car-themed cake. “He’s got a hell of a collection. The full-scale (1:24) ones.” 

 “Early in the day, he was a Trans Am guy,” recalled Ken Kuznia, 54, of Macomb. “Tom was very generous, too. When he’d get tired of a car, he’d give it to someone.”

“You’ll never find a guy who’s more conscientious, who cares more about his customers than Tom,” said Bob Krogh, 61, Royal Oak. “I mean, never. He knows everybody; he takes all the extra time in the world. Very dedicated.” 

“I’ve been after him five years to retire,” said Walter Siwczak, 53, Madison Heights, “(but) you’re losing a friend you’ve known for a long time.”

Kuznia agreed.

“It’s sad to see him retire,” he said, underscoring the sentiment shared by all — that though it’s a great occasion, Murray will be missed.

You can reach Staff Writer Andy Kozlowski at akozlowski@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1104.