Don McLean recently retired after more than 60 years as a barber, most of them in Fort Macleod.
The man they call Don the Barber was recognized last week for his long career in Fort Macleod.
Coun. Aaron Poytress took a moment early in the Aug. 25 council meeting to recognize Don McLean.
“He’s been in business in town for over 60 years,” Poytress said. “Sixty years of keeping the men in this town looking handsome.”
McLean announced his retirement earlier this year after selling his business on Second Avenue to Brian Ancelet.
After growing up on a farm near Bow Island, McLean as a young man worked in a lumber mill, a sawmill and a machine shop, hauled water on an oil rig and was a farm labourer.
With winter approaching in 1964, McLean’s father suggested Don attend barber school in Lethbridge.
The young McLean was reluctant, never planning to become a barber, but his father suggested the skills learned at barber school would always come in handy whether he pursued it as a career or not.
McLean, who was just 21, agreed and headed to Lethbridge on Oct. 1, 1964 to take the course taught by John Maygard above his Viking Barber Shop on Third Avenue and Third Street.
The 12 chairs in the barber school were filled most of the time with people learning the trade by cutting hair for a quarter for people off the streets of Lethbridge.
McLean completed the course in March 1965 and moved to Medicine Hat to spend one year apprenticing for Ted Jacaboski in a shop in a little mall on Aberdeen Street.
About one month before McLean’s one-year apprenticeship was up, he got leads on barbershops that were up for sale in Vulcan and Fort Macleod.
McLean came to Fort Macleod to meet with Murray Brooks, who sold the business for $2,000.
Harold Eckmeier was McLean’s first customer on March 1, 1966 in the building that now houses a law office on Red Crow Blvd.
That same year McLean married Carol Abell of Taber, and they raised their children Jerry, Roger and Lori in Fort Macleod.
In 1966 Fort Macleod had five barbers, including Jack Fleming on Second Avenue, Leo Noel in the Queen’s Hotel, and Ron Tilbe in the building now occupied by McNab Realty. Another barber moved to Saskatchewan about a month after McLean arrived.
In 1977 McLean moved to the Second Avenue location, which until then had operated as Fleming’s Barber Shop.
Don’s Barber Shop drew its share of tourists, who marvelled at the antiques and artwork, and treat themselves to a straight razor shave.
Alberta singer-songwriter Corb Lund filmed part of a music video in Don’s Barber Shop.
When TSN anchors Dan O’Toole and Jay Onrait were in town to film a live show as part of the Kraft Celebration Tour, they came to Don’s Barber Shop for haircuts and shaves.
“I’d just like to acknowledge Don the Barber for a great career and hope he enjoys retirement,” Poytress said.
