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Barber Sandy Serpe is hanging up his scissors by Nathan Howes Special to the Beaver 3 | Thursday, June 12, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com After 58 years of standing behind the chair, Oakville barber Sandy Serpe has trimmed his last head of hair. The 76-year-old owner of Sandy's Barber Shop recently closed the business, which was located at 288 Lakeshore Rd. E. for 29 years. Dozens of close friends, family and customers stopped by the shop on May 31 to say goodbye and show their appreciation for Serpe's years of service. "I enjoyed what I've been doing for so many years. I appreciate what people did for me. I've had customers for 30, 40 and 50 years. They supported my business for a long time," said Serpe. "It's sad to quit, but I'm very happy with those people." He first picked up a pair of scissors at age 18 while living in Venezuela. Serpe came to Oakville in 1960 and started cutting hair as an employee at the barbershop. He took over the business in 1972. "Because we lived in the country, we were told to learn a trade. Barbering was an easy trade to learn. After starting it, I enjoyed what I was doing and I kept going," said Serpe, whose shop changed locations twice prior to moving to Lakeshore Road East in 1985. The longevity of Serpe's career can be attributed to his enjoyment of cutting hair and his loyal customers, the barber said. They didn't want Retiring barber Sandy Serpe gives a haircut to his grandson Vedder Reynolds, 1. While it was Vedder's first haircut, it was Serpe's last. Serpe retired after 58 years at Sandy's Barber Shop, with family, friends, and faithful customers all gathered to help him celebrate. | photo by Franki Ikeman ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) him to quit because they didn't know "where they were going to get another good haircut." "They like my haircuts. They come to me because I cut hair the old-fashioned way. You also meet different kinds of people and you can talk about anything," said Serpe. "I like sports and we can talk about sports. Some friends are business people. I enjoy the business because I deal with different kind of people." One of Serpe's longest-serving customers is Robert Carley, who had his hair cut by the Oakville barber for 54 years. Carley had just started high school when he first went to Serpe for a haircut, he recalled. "I just wandered up one day, on a Saturday probably, got a haircut and it's been a thousand haircuts since then," said Carley. Although he eventually moved to Campbellville, Ont., Carley commuted to Oakville once a month for a trim while visiting his family. "If anybody started getting their hair cut with Sandy, they would continue with him. I go see him and we talk about things. Sandy remembers the cars I used to drive and some of the jobs I used to have," said Carley. Like many of his customers, Carley stayed with Serpe because he liked his haircuts. He became more than just a barber -- "he's a good friend," Carley said. "We used to talk about family things. My three sons all had their first haircuts with Sandy. Sandy came to the hospital to give my dad his last haircut," said Carley. "Sandy always looked at barbering as a lifelong profession, not just a job that you train for and then see if you want to do it for a couple of years." With Serpe's retirement, Carley said he is going to be shopping for a new barber. "He is a great fellow, he is a consummate professional and a good friend. He's had a career that many people would be proud of," said Carley. "Oakville is going to be poorer for him retiring, but he's going to be richer because now he can spend some time with his family, garden and his wine-making." INJURED? I Can Help! YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY UNLESS I GET YOU MONEY My team of experienced lawyers can help you with: · Car accidents · Slip and Falls · Disability Claims (Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, CPP) · Wrongful Dismissal OFFICES IN OAKVILLE AND TORONTO For a free consultation call: Oakville: 905.842.2022 or Toronto: 416.351.9222 email: sspadafora@slspc.ca Finest Lighting Store in Oakville CONCEPT LIGHTING GROUP NEW NO DOWN PAYMENT & NO INTEREST FOR 12 MONTHS Sam Spadafora Injury and Employment Law Suppliers of fine lighting to Casa Loma, North America's largest castle SALE *See store for details INSTALLATION * PLUS FREE LIGHT BULBS FOR LIFE* Oakville 243 Speers Road · 905-849-LITE (5483) Mississauga 5980 McLaughlin Rd. #3 near Britannia 905.712.4548 · Burlington 1515 N. Service Rd. 905.331.7444 www.conceptlighting.ca