Winter Hill barber celebrates 60 years of business

By George P. Hassett

Outside on Broadway the year is 2008. But inside Tony Matarazzo’s barbershop ‚Äútime is frozen,‚Äù says his colleague Phil Vozella, as Matarazzo sharpens straightedge razors on a worn leather strop to the sounds of big band music under black and white pictures of Frank Sinatra and Rocky Marciano.

The scene is a throwback to the time when Matarazzo first started cutting hair in Somerville 61 years ago.

After serving in the Navy in World War II, Matarazzo went to work at his father’s shop (his grandfather was a barber too) on Mystic Avenue. He moved to what is now the Reilly-Brickley Fire Station on Broadway in 1966 after the arrival of Interstate 93 forced the business out. When the construction of the fire station forced him to move again in 1971, he took his business a few blocks up Broadway to where he is today.Vozella, who has cut hair next to Matarazzo four days a week starting at 7:45 a.m. for 13 years, says the barbershop is ‚Äúsort of like a page out of Norman Rockwell. Our customers, these guys have become our friends. I’ve watched Tony have a compassionate ear when a guy loses a wife or a kid has some trouble. This place has been a venue in the neighborhood where he could do good. He’s like an older brother to the neighborhood.‚Äù

On a recent day, friends stopped and tapped on the window under the red, white and blue pole that hangs outside. Phil Trepini, who first got his hair cut by Matarazzo when he was 9 years old and first moved into the neighborhood, came in with his own 9 year old son for a cut. He says he enjoys the atmosphere but comes for the craft. ‚ÄúTony gives a great haircut that’s the important thing.‚Äù

After six decades of close shaves, Matarazzo says he still isn’t ready to put the clippers down. ‚ÄúYou have to keep your hand in to stay young. I’m not cutting back.‚Äù

George P. Hassett can be reached at 857-928-3741