With more than 8,400 employees and about 250 retiring annually, having three people mark their last day of service to the City of Jacksonville on the same day isn't necessarily newsworthy – unless they are three of the city's longest-tenured employees with a combined 119 years of service.
That happened Friday in the Tax Collector's office.
Tax Assistant Freida Andriesse retired after 50 years, Director of Tax Operations Alvin Crooms retired after 32 years and Tax Assistant Willie Swearingen marked her final day after 37 years.
Andriesse's retirement is even more noteworthy because she was the last employee who was hired before the city and county governments were consolidated in October 1968 to retire.
Before the tax collector's office staff, family and friends shared lunch at the Yates Building, Tax Assistant Senior Chauncey Thompson thanked the retirees for their time, service and dedication to the city and to the office. Then she offered some advice to her former co-workers.
"As you end this portion of your journey, it's the time of a new beginning. Enjoy your families, enjoy your grandchildren and enjoy being able to be home in time for dinner," she said.
Tax Collector Michael Corrigan said the celebration was not meant to be a way to say goodbye, it was a way to thank the three for their service over the years and their friendship.
"It's sad to lose 119 years of knowledge. They are phenomenal individuals and they will remain friends with each and every one of us," he said.
Asked the secret of completing a career with the city that spanned five decades and nine mayors from Haydon Burns to Alvin Brown, Andriesse said it wasn't complicated.
"Just keep coming to work and the days just roll over," she said.
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