By Kate Tobiasson, Contributing Writer
Hudson – Some people live their lives with open arms and hearts. Pat Daley is one of those people.
Born and raised in Hudson, Daley has seen a lot of change come to Hudson in recent years, including the revitalization of the downtown and changing demographics. Throughout all of the changes, Daley has remained an integral part of the local community.
“I spent a few years at the post office in Hudson in the 1970s. I was on a list to get hired with the Postal Service; there was an opening in Clinton in the 1980s. Hudson wasn’t hiring, and because my mother was from Clinton, and my uncle had been the postmaster, I was able to get in with the Clinton Postal Service,” he reflected.
Daley enjoyed the rhythm and flow of small town life, and raised four children with his wife, Sally. As time passed, he found that winters and working in the snow was increasingly difficult. After 27 years, Daley retired from the Postal Service and what he thought would be a relaxing chapter of his life.
To keep active, he spent summers working on an ice cream truck in neighboring towns. He loved getting to know neighborhoods and families, but craved more interaction with people when summer came to a close. This desire led him to the facilities department at Hudson Public Schools, where he has spent the past seven years. Emptying trash cans and recycling isn’t how everyone would choose to spend their retirement, but Daley’s unique and buoyant spirit bring energy and joy to the job, and has made him a standout member of the staff. He is quick to share a joke or smile with teachers, and the kids in the buildings know they can count on him to brighten their day.
“There is a girl who is in the fifth grade at Quinn Middle School. She recognized me from my work at Mulready Elementary School. I’ve been moved to the Quinn building this month, and she comes up every day to say hello in the halls,” Daley said.
“My favorite part of the job is being around the kids. They make me feel young,” Daley said. “I have my first grandchild, who is 1 year old and lives in New York City. I don’t get to see her too often, and being around people makes me happy. The kids can see how much I love it.”
