The end of an era: Queen Anne residents to say goodbye to popular mailman

Upper Queen Anne residents are saying goodbye to a beloved longtime fixture in the neighborhood at the end of the year.
Mailman Calvin Clarke will be retiring Dec. 24 after 39 years with the U.S. Postal Service, the majority assigned to Queen Anne.
Although he has been known by residents on his route for some time, Clark has recently gained more fame as the inspiration behind naming the crane “Calvin” at the 21 Boston construction site.
David Castellanos, the assistant superintendent of the 21 Boston construction site, said when he heard about the contest to name the crane, he immediately thought of Clark. Castellanos had only met Clark a few months ago when he began working at the site but enjoyed seeing him every day and chatting. He said Clark is “just so personable and has been around the area for so long.”
He was proud to nominate such a popular person in community and thought it would be a great way to celebrate the end of Clark’s career.
The construction and the giant crane may be new to the top of Queen Anne, but Clark has been a mailman in the neighborhood for the past 38 years. His route, however, has evolved significantly.
Clark currently delivers the mail to the businesses on the north end of Queen Anne Avenue and the houses back to Third Avenue West, specifically from Queen Anne Avenue to Third West and Boston to Smith. His original route was quite a bit longer. With the increase in housing density and the amount of mail, the length of his route has decreased throughout the years, although his delivery route is usually about eight hours.
“There are different businesses, and a lot of people move,” Clark said.
Clark has also witnessed a number of changes in the neighborhood, including the tear down of the old Safeway at the 21 Boston site.
Clark said only 20 of the original residents on his route of about 400 remain.
“Friends kept telling me I needed to leave this route because of all the stairs, but it’s the people that make it worth my while,” he said, adding he likes everyone on his route.
Residents also like Clark. In the crane contest, people cast more votes for the name Calvin over “Frasier Crane,” after the character in the popular ’90s sitcom. Part of that could be attributed to his popularity in the neighborhood. Clark is often seen waving to neighbors, petting the dogs, even staying in the neighborhood to hang out and enjoy football games on the avenue after work.
Clark said he first heard about the nomination when Castellanos caught up with him at Hilltop Ale House. He said he was surprised to be nominated but didn’t think too much about it. Soon enough, many of his customers were asking him about it. He says that he is still trying to grasp that his name was bestowed upon the crane and that he feels “honored.”
Even after Dec. 24, his last day of work, he will be remembered at the site. His name will be printed on two banners, one that will go on the cranes tower facing Queen Anne Avenue and the other will be placed on the fence outside the site.
Clark will still be around the neighborhood, and Queen Anne Dispatch is planning an official retirement party for him in the new year. Clark, who lives in Bonney Lake with his wife, said he plans on taking some time for his health but hasn’t made any big plans for his retirement yet.
“I’ve been working since I was 8 or 9 years old,” he said. “I’m just going to take some time off. I delivered newspapers, worked at a gas station, McDonald’s, cleaned conferences rooms with my dad.”
Clark, who was born and raised in Kansas City, said some of his favorite memories are of watching the Chiefs during spring training at Swope Park. Then as a young man, the Marine Corps brought him to the Pacific Northwest. He did security at the Marine barracks on Whidbey Island and decided that he liked the weather much better here.
Seattle “rain does not compare to the Midwest weather: the thunder and lightning, tornadoes, snow that sticks, and I definitely don’t miss the mosquitos,” he said.
Right now, Clark said he and his wife, Paula, are looking forward to the holiday displays around the city and the Seahawks game on Jan. 1. When the Seahawks heard about what a big fan Clark is, they sent him a Seahawks sweatshirt and tickets to the game.
 “I love the Seahawks, and I love the Chiefs, and I feel like a winner no matter who wins the game,” he said.