90-Year-Old Barber Puts Down His Scissors After 77 Years of Haircuts

After close to eight decades of giving haircuts in shops across the globe, a Florida barber is finally retiring.

Leo Martino, 90, lives in Palm Beach, Florida where he was one of three stylists at the Everglades Barber Shop, according to the Palm Beach Daily News. 

Ronnie Iaia, the shop’s owner, praised his long-time employee for his hard work and dedication. 

"He's easy to deal with. He's a great barber. What else can you ask for,” Iaia told the Palm Beach Daily News.

“He's been here every day. You can't keep him out. I never had to worry about being late or anything, because he's always here. They don't make them like that anymore."

Martino first began working as a barber in his native Italy, as a 13-year-old, trimming hair in his uncle’s barber shop. Since leaving his home country, in his mid-twenties, Martino has lived across North America. He first came to Toronto and then moved to California for a few years, according to the Palm Beach Daily News. 

Martino eventually settled in Detroit, where he lived and worked for 40 years. He owned four barbershops in the city that was his home until 2000. He and his wife, Catalina, escaped the cold and headed to Florida, where Martino has lived ever since. 

His haircuts and shaves will be missed by his many regular customers, the Palm Beach Daily News reports. 

"He gives a real quality haircut, and he's just a good person," customer Leslie Evans told the newspaper. 

"I'm going to miss him. It's hard to get a good old-fashioned haircut in a men's barbershop.”

Iaia explained that Martino made the decision to leave the barbershop after his wife became ill. While the longtime barber said that he’s “done” cutting hair, even for fun, he will still miss the barbershop. 

"It's a great place, and I like the people who work here. The clients are great. This is the best."