Crimi, Sam
Abstract: "Sam Crimi was born on 6 February, 1914 in Marsala, Sicily, the fourth of five children. Crimi's mother worked in the home as both a housewife and a seamstress, and his father worked in one of Marsala's many wineries. The Crimi family began a five-year process of emigration in 1921, when Sam's father and oldest brother left for the United States. Sam, his mother, and three siblings finally joined them in West Allis, Wisconsin in 1926. Despite time spent in the Army during World War II and a brief move to California, he has lived in West Allis ever since. Crimi's barbering career—as well as his two older brothers'—began with a childhood apprenticeship in Marsala. He continued as an apprentice in West Allis during the twenties, working both in a barber shop and privately on school friends and neighbors. In 1930, Crimi passed the master barbers license examination and worked professionally thereafter. He has long been an active member and officer of the Barbers Union Local 50, citing a strong 'union-minded' tradition that dates back to his father's days as a winery workers organizer in Sicily. Crimi retired at the age of 79 in August of 1993, selling his shop at 8629 W. Greenfield Avenue to a younger barber. As of this writing, however, he still cuts hair one day a week and works Wednesdays at the United Food and Commercial Workers 1444—which now has jurisdiction over the old Local 50." — Rick Brown, 1994

Listen to this interview and read the transcript online.

Interview, 1994
Physical Description: 2 audio cassettes 

Transcript, 1994

Gomez, George
Abstract: "George Gomez was born in 1956 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His parents, Charles and Theresa, were Mexican-Americans who had migrated to Milwaukee from Texas. They believed very strongly in education, hard work, family and faith in God. These values were instilled in George and his four brothers at a young age and still influence his life heavily today. George Gomez graduated from St. John Cathedral High School in 1974. He then enrolled in the barber school at Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), in September 1974 and finished the program in May 1975. He tried completing his apprenticeship at several barbershops before going to work at Nick's Barbershop on Capitol Drive. He would leave Nick's two times looking for a not so 'traditional' setting before finally settling in at Nick's Barbershop. He left for good in 1990 when he bought his own building and opened his own shop, George's on Oakland." — Mary K. Huelsbeck, 1994

Listen to this interview and read the transcript online.

Interview, 1994
Physical Description: 3 audio cassettes 

Transcript, 1994

Hoppe, Linda
Abstract: "Linda Hoppe was born in 1961 in Stout, Wisconsin and grew up in the town of West Allis, Wisconsin. She came from a very traditional family; one in which men worked and the women stayed home. And although women, traditionally, did not work outside of the home, Hoppe broke that custom to make her dream of being a barber come true. Hoppe had a desire to work with hair, men's in particular, ever since she was a small child. Unbeknownst to her father and grandfather, her love for them influenced her decision to become a barber. The values they instilled in her, the 'small town roots' that they believed in, the clean cut, shaven look that they had eventually influenced her future decision to become a barber. Barbering, as a profession, enables her to use her skills and where she finds people who still uphold values she has. Hoppe married at the age of eighteen and had a daughter when she was twenty. She waited until her daughter was in first grade before entering barber school. Up until that point, her family and husband discouraged her from barbering telling her that it was not a worthy trade. She had worked several odd jobs but was never satisfied; she wanted the fulfillment she felt she could have by doing hair. Against her family's wishes, she entered Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) in 1988—the year after the State of Wisconsin combined the barbering and cosmetology programs. Determined to be a barber, Hoppe sought the help of licensed barbers to acquire the skills needed to be a professional barber. Hoppe now owns her own shop in Hartland, Wisconsin." — Cynthia M. Robinson, 1994

Listen to this interview and read the transcript online.

Interview, 1994
Physical Description: 2 audio cassettes 

Transcript, 1994

Jablonski, Walter
Abstract: "Walter Jablonski, Jr. was born in 1943 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His father was employed as a barber and painting contractor, while his mother worked at a variety of jobs, including a clothing factory, Tupperware sales and at a bank. Mr. Jablonski and his younger brother are the third generation of men in the family to become barbers. Mr. Jablonski attended Milwaukee Public Schools, and received his education in barbering at Milwaukee Area Technical College and West Allis Vocational School in 1962. He worked as an apprentice and journeyman barber at various shops before settling into an applied apprenticeship in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. He was drafted into the Marine Corps, and finished his tour of duty in 1968. At some point before his tour, Mr. Jablonski married his wife Michelle. After his tour of duty, Mr. Jablonski received two associates degrees in marketing and business from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Milwaukee Area Technical College after nine years of attending night classes. In 1970 Mr. Jablonski bought a building in Hales Corners, Wisconsin, and established his own Barber Shop, calling it 'Your Father's Mustache.' He has been in the same location since 1970. The shop is known locally as the unofficial barber museum because of the large amount of antique barbering implements Mr. Jablonski and his wife have collected. Mr. Jablonski's wife is a Milwaukee Public School teacher, and the couple has two sons." — Susan E. Ellingson, 1994

Listen to this interview and read the transcript online.

Interview, 1994
Physical Description: 2 audio cassettes 

Transcript, 1994

Mallak, Kathleen R.
Abstract: "Kathleen R. Mallak was born in the city of Milwaukee and raised in the Bay View area that she still calls home. Her father was a City of Milwaukee worker who drove a garbage truck, and when it snowed he plowed the city streets. Ms. Mallak's mother was a homemaker, who cared for a large family of five girls and one boy. The family is still close and she can call on any of them for help whenever it is needed. She attended Clement Avenue Elementary School and graduated from Bay View High School. Ms. Mallak learned the trade of barbering at the Milwaukee Area Technical College. She received her license after the completion of the three year course. After serving an apprenticeship with several area barbers she opened her own shop. It was always her goal to operate her own business. The shop has been open for ten years and is a thriving business." — Mary R. Broitzman, 1994

Listen to this interview and read the transcript online.

Interview, 1994
Physical Description: 1 audio cassette 

Transcript, 1994

Savaglio, Gabriel J.
Abstract: "Gabriel J. Savaglio was born in 1927 in Kenosha, Wisconsin. His father, a barber, wanted his son to continue the Savaglio barbering tradition. Mr. Savaglio studied the trade in 1947, and then began a three year apprenticeship under his father in 1948. After completing the apprenticeship and passing his licensing exam, Mr. Savaglio worked as a barber in his father's barber shop until his retirement from barbering in 1969. Having worked as a union barber for twenty two years, Mr. Savaglio proved to be an excellent authority on the barbering trade of 1950's and 1960's Kenosha. Mr. Savaglio's observations help shed some light on where the trade once was, and in turn: how the trade has changed since his retirement." — Randy M. Klem, 1994

Listen to this interview and read the transcript online.

Interview, 1994
Physical Description: 1 audio cassette 

Transcript, 1994