Lucas Domonousky
Breeze-Courier Writer
TAYLORVILLE — “After cutting hair in Taylorville for 30 years I have decided to retire and close Dick’s Barbershop.” Mr. Bertolozzi said in a formal, handwritten note acknowledging his time of cutting hair and beard trims were coming to a close.
Dick kickstarted his three-decade-long journey at back in 1992 on the fifteenth day of September at Jon’s Barber Shop.
“I had the good fortune to work with Jon, Wayne, Stoney and Justin,” He shared. “They taught me a lot.”
In 1997, just five years later, Dick went out and started his own shop. For the next 25 years he held down his own fort serving up clean cuts left and right.
Dick has met many people throughout his lengthy career and always treated the person in the seat like a VIP.
“Everybody’s special.” He says. “Most people are pretty good.”
The soft spoken Bertolozzi was always one to focus on his work. All business, no talk he would fly through customers which made “Bert” one of the most sought after barbers in town. Even now at 70 you can still find him, clippers in hand, chair nice and warm awaiting it’s next patron.
I mentioned Dick is reserved in his conversation. This rings true unless the conversation is about the Chicago Bears, Cubs or any basketball pre-dating the late 70’s.
“I kind of fell out of basketball when they started the three-point shot.” Says the traditionalist. “I even quit watching before Michael Jordan played.”
You could imagine the shocking look on this writer’s face. This die hard Chicago sports fan, the same guy who was able to witness a Bears Super Bowl AND a Cubs World Series in the same lifetime, completely missed arguably the greatest sports run through the 90’s? I couldn’t believe it. As a youngster, who wasn’t able to watch Michael Jeffery Jordan grace the court, I was in a state of dismay.
All jokes aside, Bertolozzi dedicated his life to providing citizens of the 217 with quick buzz cuts and fresh fades for 30 years. Dick’s Barber Shop will be open for business all through this coming week with his final day of work taking place on March 30th.
He caps off a wonderful career with a rather emotional goodbye.
“I wish to thank everyone for their business and their stories.” Bertolozzi writes. “I will miss all of you.”
