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OkillLiving LIVING EDITOR: ANGELA BLACKBURN Phone: 905-337-5560 Fax: 905-337-5571 e-mail: ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com Michael puts away scissors after 50 yearsBy Angela Blackburndows and wonder why so many shops were sellingOAKVILLE BEAVER STAFFsalt sale means salt in Italian, said Kim.Galione began his apprenticeship in hair styling infter more than a quarter of a million haircuts, mensSicily when he was 14.hairstylist Michael Galione has shelved his scissorsIn 1961, just a couple of months after arriving inAand sold his shop.Canada, Galione landed a job in Toronto and continuedI dont really know how it feels. Today would be my dayhis apprenticeship and learned English while workingoff anyway, Galione told The Oakville Beaver Monday for two men's stylists, one of whom had come herejust before he hopped on a plane to Florida.from the United Kingdom, the other from Italy.He plans to spend six weeks golfing, catching a few raysGalione later worked at the King Edward Hotel andand celebrating with friends and family.finessed his skills before going back to work for one of After 51 years of working why not? asked Galione.the men at a different location.Among his reasons for retiring, he wont have to stand upThen he moved to Oakville in 1966 and went tofor so long anymore.work with Henry Mandarino at Henry's Barber Shop atHis reminiscences on leaving? After a while his clients345 Lakeshore Rd.were friends that would come for regular visits TheMichael took over the shop from Henry and ithaircut really was secondary, he said.became Michael's Hairstyling for Men and then relo-He has cut some 227,000 heads of hair includingcated to 267 Lakeshore Rd. E. before settling at histhose of many mayors and leading businessmen, said friendcurrent location at 308 Church St. in 1987.and client Ross Rosier who, along with other loyal custom-Over the years, Galione amassed an impressive cli-ers, not only threw Galione a 65th birthday party last May,entele that included former Oakville mayors Harrybut surprised him with a retirement celebration Saturday atBarrett and Mac Anderson as well as former Ford of his 308 Church St. shop.Canada president Ken Harrigan, fitness personality EdI started my training when I was 14-and-a-half and nowAllen and media personalities Bill McVean and BillIm 65-and-a-half, said Galione.Walker.The long-time mens hairstylist admitted that after 51For his first 13 years in Oakville, Galione worked inERIC RIEHL / OAKVILLE BEAVERyears, standing all day and set hours is too demanding.the basement of the Oakville Chamber of CommerceIf I dont do it (retire), if I wait too long, as you see sobuilding. He relied on word-of-mouth advertising byCUTTING OUT:Long-time men's hairstylist Michael Galione has put awaymany do, something could happen and its too late. I still havehis customers and they came through. They liked thehis scissors, sold his Church Street shop and called it quits after half a century. some of my health so I should take advantage of it while I canway he cut hair. In 1964, Galione was Ontario Mensstill golf, said Galione.Hairstyling champion.The Oakville resident admitted the reality of his lifestyle change will likely hit home when heGalione was in his early 30s when he bought his barbershop on Lakeshore Road in downtownreturns home from vacation and he said hes giving some thought to taking up wood carvingOakville when there were still houses not yet converted into stores on the downtown strip. Now,as a hobby. Once a stylist, always a stylist, it appears.he has handed over his most recent shop to Shannon Williams, with whom he has been workingGalione arrived in Canada from Sicily, Italy when he was 16 in fact, on his 16th birthday.for a few years.He couldnt speak English. Galione said he learned a lot from people over his career and considers himself fortunate thatGalione and his wife, Kim, make their home in Oakville as do Galiones two daughters, Laurahe could talk to people from all walks of life rich, poor, young, old. As such his circle of friendsand Amy. According to Kim, Galione and his mom joined his dad, brother and sister here uponand acquaintances and clients were varied. Galione said he would remember a clients haircut andleaving their home in Castel Termini in Agrigento, Sicily. He was the youngest of five.often had their confidence, but as soon as they left his salon, so too would his memory of it all, onlyThe mother and son made the two-day journey to Canada on a prop plane that had to makefor it to flood back upon their return for another haircut.multiple stops to refuel in those days. It was all about gaining confidence and keeping the respect of the people who had found a lik-I remember him telling me that he would be on the bus and see sale signs in the shop win-ing to his work and a comfort level with his style, so to speak.15 Friday, February 18, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER www.insideHALTON.com