Pete Paranzino, legendary La Salle barber, dies

La Salle University has lost a legend.

Pete "Pete the Barber" Paranzino, 94, who started cutting hair for 50 cents at La Salle in 1939, died in his sleep Friday at his son's home in Roxborough, where he had lived for four years.

Born and raised in South Philadelphia, Mr. Paranzino's father died when he was 11. He quit school after the sixth grade to support his mother and four younger sisters.

Mr. Paranzino learned the trade at his uncle's barbershop in North Philadelphia, where he cut hair for 25 cents a head. The shop was near Broad and Stiles Streets, where La Salle College and High School used to be. The Christian brothers who taught at La Salle were regular customers.

When La Salle College moved to 20th and Olney Avenue in 1939, Mr. Paranzino moved with it and opened his own shop. He then charged students 50 cents and the brothers 20 cents for a cut. Prices rose slowly during the years to $7 when he retired in 2007.

"There was never a formal contract. The school did not charge him rent," Mr. Paranzino's son, Dominic, said. "My father cut hair for students even after the high school moved to Wyndmoor in 1960. He was more than a barber; he was an honorary Christian brother who was like a bridge between the less fortunate and those from rich families."

Five days a week, Mr. Paranzino took the Broad Street Subway to the school shuttle at Olney Avenue. If he missed the shuttle, he took the bus. He was roughed up a couple of times and robbed on the bus. "They knocked my glasses off, nothing serious," Mr. Paranzino said during an interview in 2000.

Mr. Paranzino cut hair for so many ROTC students on campus that the military awarded him for his service. Generals and other servicemen, former staff members and alumni returned for trims decades later. Mr. Paranzino's reputation spread to the Napa Valley of California, when some brothers moved to the Christian Brothers Monastery & Winery. In his 67 years at La Salle, he cut the hair of bankers, lawyers, doctors, professors, broadcasters and All-Americans long after they graduated.

John Rossi, a retired history professor at La Salle, started getting his hair cut by Mr. Paranzino when he was a student. "Back in the 1950s everybody got their hair cut every two weeks," Rossi said. "His place was packed. Pete was a good barber."

When longer hair came into vogue in the 1960s, Mr. Paranzino placed a sign in his window that said: "Keep La Salle beautiful, keep your hair trimmed."

Over the years Mr. Paranzino slowly raised his prices and opened a used-book store and concession stand selling candy and hot dogs. He was the closest thing to a priest, his son said. "He lived the life of a Christian brother and talked to the students as a mentor or like they were going to confession."

On his 90th birthday Mr. Paranzino was asked whether he had considered retiring. "If I retired I'd watch TV and fall asleep on the couch," he said. "I try to keep busy. It's the best thing for you. It's therapy. When I go home, I feel relaxed."

In addition to his son, Mr. Paranzino is survived by two grandchildren and two sisters. His wife, Lillian Saleba Paranzino, died in 1991.

A Funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. today at St. Lucy's Catholic Church, 146 Green Lane. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery. Donations may be made to La Salle University, 1900 W. Olney Ave., Philadelphia 19141.