Joe Bailem’s radiant smile will sorely be missed, now that the longtime mail carrier has retired from the U.S. Postal Service. After nearly 20 years serving the Isle of Palms as mailman extraordinaire, Bailem was celebrated a few days before his actual retirement with a party at the Isle of Palms Recreation Center.
Many locals showed up for this surprise party in support of Bailem despite the dreary weather. Former IOP Mayor Jimmy Carroll was in attendance and summed up the celebration nicely: “Congratulations to one of my favorite mail carriers of all time. It was wet and cold but Joe’s smile and laugh broke through the clouds.”
Other residents in attendance agreed. “We’re going to miss Joe. We’re happy for him but sad to see him go. There is no one like him. Always smiling and whistling. We can all learn a thing or two from wonderful Mr. Joe.”
Island residents described Bailem as “one of the kindest, friendliest and most dependable mail carriers out there.” Bailem bid the island a fond goodbye from the rec center with a smile and a few words: “Hello noble IOP! Farewell from this park and this mail carrier’s mission to separate the mail and deliver it to its destined destination.”
Bailem recalled his most memorable time on the job on IOP being the January 2018 winter storm. “We were called into work that day. Everyone was called in and expected to work but only two mail carriers showed up,” Bailem recounted. “The ice was thick. The roads were bad, but I showed up and I delivered the mail during that storm.”
This comes as no surprise to those who know and have come to love and admire Bailem. He is the type of optimistic, cheerful person who shows up and works hard and shares a smile and a kind word no matter what the circumstances may be.
Bailem and his wife Cindi exude a certain type of positivity and lively energy that is both appreciated and respected amongst those lucky enough to know them. Their move from Williamsburg, Virginia, to Mount Pleasant in 2006, soon followed by a transfer from Mount Pleasant to the Isle of Palms for a new mail route, led to Bailem developing an overwhelming love and gratitude for living and working in the Lowcountry.
“I looked forward to every single day working on the island. It is a wonderful, beautiful place to be. Working or not, I love this island and her people,” Bailem said. “Delivering mail and packages and smiles here was a special time in my life. It was fun and I will miss it. The people, the kids, the dogs, just interacting with everything and everyone on my route was the best part of working here.”
Joe and Cindi plan to travel upon Bailem’s retirement from the postal service. They aren’t exactly sure of where they will go or what the precise travel plan looks like, but they are both certain that they will travel and visit with friends and family and that they will absolutely enjoy their retirement together.
“The Isle of Palms holds a special place in my heart and now I look forward to doing what I want, when I want and sharing new and exciting experiences with my beautiful wife,” said Bailem.
By Laura Fogarty
Thank you for celebrating my amazing father!!!!!