Kirk Cistaro was presented the official Key to the City of Buckhannon by Mayor Robbie Skinner on Tuesday, his last day on the job.

“In a small town, public figures are more than just their titles; they’re friends, and the citizens of our community have never known a better, truer friend than Kirk,” Skinner said in a press statement.

“He’s been a part of our families, celebrated births, anniversaries, marriages, and graduations with us, but he’s also been there when we’ve lost loved ones and experienced sadness. Undoubtedly, he’s been one of the main staples here — making Buckhannon the beautiful, friendly community it is, and we will miss him every day.

“We thank him for his sincere dedication to our citizens, his professionalism, his kindness, and most of all, his friendship over the past 31 years,” Skinner said.

Buckhannon Mayor Robbie Skinner gives mail carrier Kirk Cistaro, who has served the community for 31 years, a hug.

Residents were urged to offer well wishes to Cistaro, who noted that on his first day of retirement he was going to sleep in.

The Clarksburg native began working at the Buckhannon Post Office in October 1993, and continued to make the drive south every work day for 31 years.

Though he was later offered a job closer to Clarksburg, he said he turned it down because he likes the people of Buckhannon, and was happy being a familiar part of the town.