In 1979, a postage stamp cost 15 cents, and Anthony Arturi was just beginning his career with the U.S. Postal Service.
Forty-five years later, with the price of a stamp now 73 cents, Arturi, who spent all but two of those years at the Briarcliff Manor post office, has retired.
Arturi, who started as a mail carrier, spent much of his career in the office, retiring as a sales associate at the counter. “One thing that I’ll miss over the years is helping moms and grand mom mailing their holiday gifts to their grandchildren and actually watching them grow up,” Arturi said. “So I do leave on mixed feelings after serving the community for so long.”
Arturi was presented by Mayor Steven Vescio with a proclamation naming Jan. 6, 2025, in Arturi’s honor during a brief ceremony in the lobby of the Pleasantville Road post office.
“Either working with him or visiting him, coming into the post office was always a really nice experience because we got to see Tony,” Vescio, who previously worked with Arturi in real estate, said during the presentation. “He always took a real, genuine interest in everybody’s life, in their family. He just always seemed to make the day a little bit better.
“You’re one of the most knowledgeable people, one of the nicest people and you really are a pleasure to be around. I think that everybody in this room would agree with that,” Vescio added, to applause from co-workers, patrons and Karen Smith, executive director of the Briarcliff Manor-Scarborough Historical Society, where Arturi volunteers as treasurer.
“The years really went by quick,” said Arturi, who stepped down in November. “Working in the community, working with Karen, with the co-workers. I’m not leaving Briarcliff. As Steven said, I’m going to be with the Historical Society, so on that note I hope to see everybody in town at some point.”
Arturi, who lives in Greenburgh, will be continuing to work in real estate sales for Houlihan Lawrence in Briarcliff.
