Supplier Max Fernandes began his career as a sub for his father Albert Fernandes’ postal contracts in June 1976. In 1982, it was decided that Max would carry the mail full time for his father.
Max’s route actually consists of two contracts. Contract one involves bringing the mail from Port Angeles to Beaver, Forks and La Push each morning. Upon completion of delivery to La Push, he then returns to the Forks Post Office and prepares and cases a second box delivery route which delivers mail to the Quillayute Prairie and Three Rivers area.
Upon completion of the second route, Max then returns to La Push, Forks and Beaver to collect all outgoing mail and returns to the Port Angeles Post Office to complete his day. Max is a very conscientious and dependable supplier. He always is concerned about his customers and was recognized in 2014 by the then Post Master General Patrick Donahoe for checking on a customer who had not checked her mail as she normally did daily. Max could not get a response at her home and contacted the Sheriff’s Office.
The customer was found unconscious and near death in her home. Although the woman only lived for a couple weeks in the hospital, her family was grateful that thanks to Max’s concern they were able to say goodbye to their mother before her death.
Max is meticulous about keeping his trucks in running order and almost never has had an issue with break downs. He always has a backup plan. Recently, Max retired his 1997 Ford as it was approaching the 700,000-mile mark. Max makes his home in Port Angeles with his wife Chrissy and dog Dexter.
Supplier Patty Adams took over her mother Delores Smothers’ postal contract in 1982. She had begun her career as her mother’s sub in 1979. Her mother had held the contract since 1970. Patty delivers mail to our area’s most remote locations in the Hoh and Clearwater area. She travels as far as the Queets school and returns in a large loop which covers 136.3 miles each day.
Patty does have a sub to cover emergencies but, for the most part, works six days a week herself. She always is dependable and dedicated. She drives new vehicles and always looks professional in her freshly pressed blue postal shirt. Safety always is a concern for Patty and for good reason, the most remote sections of her route come with driving hazards such as washouts, snow, fallen trees, etc. Patty makes her home in Forks with her husband of 43 years Mark and her dog Bob.
Postmaster Laura Huling said,”I personally have worked with Max and Patty for 21 years. They both have outstanding safety records. It is a pleasure to work with both suppliers. They both are due a little recognition for two such dedicated employees: Max with 40 years and Patty with 37 years. They really bring meaning to ‘Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.’”
