Providence, RI — The Brockton Post Office, located at 120 Commercial Street in Brockton, will be renamed the Rocky Marciano Post Office in a formal ceremony at 2 p.m. on April 26th at the postal facility. The renaming is a result of Public Law 110-272, signed by President George W. Bush after a bill was submitted to Congress by U.S. Congressman Stephen F. Lynch.
“Rocky’s life was the personification of the American dream. His relentless work ethic, his pride in his community and his determination to excel also made him a shining example of what is best about the city of Brockton. I am proud to be able to honor him with such a fitting tribute,” said Congressman Lynch when the President signed H.R. 5528 into law.
This is not the first time that the Postal Service has honored the legendary boxing champion. In 1999, the Postal Service issued a stamp to honor Rocky as the undefeated World Heavyweight Champion as part of its Celebrate the Century series.
“Renaming the Brockton Post Office for Rocky is a fitting tribute to the greatest boxer of all time,” said USPS Southeast District Manager Robert Cintron. “The Postal Service is pleased to be able to join Congressman Lynch and the city of Brockton in celebrating the life of a legendary hero to people all over the world. “
Born Rocco Marchegiano on Sept. 1, 1923, Marciano began training for his future career by punching a stuffed mail sack that hung from an oak tree in his backyard—an exercise that would forge the career of one of the world’s greatest boxers and provide an ironic link to the honor now bestowed upon him by the Postal Service.
One of Marciano’s most memorable fights occurred on Oct. 26, 1951, when he knocked out his childhood hero Joe Louis. Often citing this fight as his most difficult, Marciano remarked that he had reservations about defeating the aging “Brown Bomber.”
Prior to earning fame and fortune as a master of the “sweet science,” Marciano held various jobs, including coal delivery for the Brockton Ice and Coal Company and a career in minor league baseball. In 1943, he was inducted into the U.S. Army, stationed in England. After World War II ended, Marciano made the decision to represent his unit at Fort Lewis, Wash., in a series of amateur fights, which is where the legend began.
Marciano was the only heavyweight boxer to retire from the ring undefeated. He won an unprecedented 49 straight fights, including 43 by knockout. On Sept. 23, 1952, Marciano defeated Jersey Joe Walcott to win the heavyweight title, despite being knocked down in the first round and trailing Walcott going into the 13th round of the fight.
The dedication of the Rocky Marciano Post Office will feature a host of special guests including members of the Marciano family including his son Rocky Marciano, his brother Peter Marciano and his nephew Robert E. Langway, Jr. as well as Congressman Stephen Lynch, Brockton Mayor James Harrington, USPS Northeast Area Vice President Tim Haney, USPS District Manager Robert Cintron, Goody Petronelli, friend of Rocky and Trainer of the Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Lawrence Siskind, President of the Brockton Historical Society, Charlie Tartaglia of George’s Café, and more.
The Brockton Fire and Police Departments will present the Colors, Yara Cardoso of the Mayor’s Women’s Council and Youth Advisory Committee will sing the national anthem, Brockton postal employees Mark Caseri, Fred Ricker, Don Sheehan and Sean O’Malley will lead the Pledge of Allegiance and the Brockton Firefighters Pipes and Drums will offer a musical ensemble.
The public is invited to attend. Parking is available at no charge at the Brockton municipal parking lots. Several people contributed time, effort and funds to make this day a special one for all of the residents and visitors in Brockton. A special thanks is offered to:
| The Rocky Marciano Family | Office of Congressman Stephen Lynch |
| The Rocky Marciano Committee | The Brockton Historical Society |
| City of Brockton – Mayor’s Office | Lawrence Siskind, Attorney at Law |
| Brockton Post Office | Charlie Tartaglia |
| Brockton Police Department | George’s Cafe |
| Brockton Fire Department | Massasoit Community College |
| BC Tent & Awning Co., Inc. | Montellio’s Bakery |
| Capiello’s Promotions | Sign Design United States Postal Service |
| United States Postal Service | Metro South Chamber of Commerce |
| US Postal Inspection Service | William Stadelman of Sadelman Electric |
| Brockton Parks Department |
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An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that reaches every address in the nation, 149 million residences, businesses and Post Office Boxes, six days a week. It has 34,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services, not tax dollars, to pay for operating expenses. Named the Most Trusted Government Agency five consecutive years by the Ponemon Institute, the Postal Service has annual revenue of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.
