Historic Suffern Post Office to be Renamed for Veterans Advocate

By Yitzy Fried

 

The Suffern Post office has been serving the area since the 1930’s, and existed in a wood-framed building on the same Chestnut Street in Suffern even before that. 

On Tuesday, the United States Senate and House of Representatives passed legislation that would rename the building in memory of Jerry Donnellan of Rockland County, who worked tirelessly on behalf of the county’s veterans. The bill will now go to the desk of President Biden, who is likely to sign it. 

The bill’s sponsor was Representative Mondaire Jones of the 17th Congressional District, which encompasses Suffern. Following the legislation’s passage, Jones applauded this development. 

“Sergeant Donnellan never relented in his advocacy for our veterans and their families,” said Jones. “He embodied selflessness as a soldier and a civilian, treating every veteran—and every person—with the respect and dignity they deserve. Today, we honor Sergeant Donnellan’s life and legacy. His commitment to serving our country and our fellow Americans should inspire us all.”

Donnellan died in 2018 at the age of 71. He had served in Vietnam and earned three Purple Hearts for his service. Ever since his return home, he dedicated himself to bettering the lives of his fellow veterans.