66 years ago, Leonard Grywacheski, picked up a pair of clippers for the first time.
The rest is history. Leonard was a barber in Ste. Rose for 64 years until his recent retirement.
"My mom kind of talked me into it," said Grywacheski. "I thought maybe I would give it a try. Then I ended up doing it for decades."
Grywacheski learned to become a barber in Regina and briefly worked in Thunder Bay.
With some help from his parents, Leonard moved back to Ste. Rose and purchased his shop space. He says his favourite haircut was the traditional brush cut.
Now he's looking back at decades of memories.
"Pretty well all the time, it was great, or else I wouldn't have lasted that long," commented Grywacheski. "It treated me very well. I tried to treat the customers as well as I could."
Leonard remembers visiting the hospital in Ste. Rose frequently to cut patients' hair. He says those are some of his fondest memories.
After he finished cutting a child's hair, he would give them a piece of bubble gum. He still has plenty left and will continue sharing with those near and dear to him.
Grywacheski says his loyal customers meant everything to him. Without them, he wouldn't have been able to cut hair for 66 years.
"I value my customers very much; they supported me very well over the years," commented Grywacheski. "I'm very pleased with the people in this community. They gave me such good business for many years. I have nothing but great things to say about all of them."
Leonard says one word sums up the past 66 years as a barber, and it's happy.
"Now that I think about all of the years as a barber, I am very happy that I went through with it," he ended.
Leonard is now looking forward to kicking up his feet and enjoying time with his family and friends.
