GOING STRONG — John Fazi works on the hair of a customer in September, while marking 60 years in the hair business. Fazi is co-owner of Johnmichael hair salon in Weirton. -- Craig Howell

WEIRTON — With 60 years of experience cutting hair, John Fazi still was surprised by all the attention he received during a celebration of his career at the end of September.

“It’s a real blessing and a surprise,” Fazi said.

The co-owner of Johnmichael, a salon in Weirton, marked six decades in the cutting and styling business in September, and was surprised by a celebration organized by his family and co-workers which saw customers coming in for a haircut, or even just to visit. Several individuals brought gifts to help mark the occasion.

“We had people in and out all day,” Michael Weaver, co-owner of the salon, said.

Fazi explained he was inspired to become a barber by a cousin who had been in the business.

“He was the slickest person I had ever seen,” he said.

Fazi explained he had been drafted into the Army, and upon returning, his father offered to help in get a job at Weirton Steel, something he decided against in favor of his chosen profession.

“I said I’d never get hot, cold or dirty,” Fazi noted.

A graduate of Wheeling Barber College in 1962, he initially started his local hair career working with Paul Altomare before going out on his own to start his own shop in 1970. One of only two male stylists in the area at the time, Fazi trained in the Roffler technique, and in 1974 entered, and won, an international hair competition in New York City.

“I beat out something like 80 guys from all over the world,” he said.

He followed that by becoming a platform artist for men’s and women’s hairstyles, attending trade shows and showcasing his techniques in front of the crowds, while educating others in the business.

In 1992, My Place became Hair by Fazi, and then, eventually moving from downtown Weirton to its current Three Springs Drive location and being renamed Johnmichael in honor of both Fazi and Weaver.

Fazi assured he has no plans to retire, saying coming into the salon each work day gives him an opportunity to interact and hear from the community.

“It’s not money that keeps me here. It’s the socialization,” he said.

Fazi admitted, though, he had never given much thought to the impact he had on his customers over the years, and was touched that so many took time out of their day to come see him.

“These are friends I never knew I had,” he said.