Lester Grizzell

Lester Grizzell, best known as "Les the Barber," of Ben Lomond, died November 23, 2009, after a long battle with lymphoma. He was 82.

Les was born in St. Louis, MO, in 1927. He moved with his family to southern California at an early age, where his father, Lester, also a barber, opened a shop in Hawthorne, CA. His father died when Les was 14, at which time his mother, Regina, opened and ran "The Malt Shop" to support the family.

Les joined the Army in 1945, and was on a troop ship enroute to Europe when the war ended; family lore has it that the war ended because Hitler heard that Les was on his way. Les then spent nearly a year in Italy where he helped run a post office and supervised Italian prisoners-of-war. He allegedly met and dated the then-unknown Gina Lollobrigida during his time in Naples.

Upon his return from Italy, he attended barber school and took over the family barbershop, where he worked until 1960. In 1954 he married Carol Matz, his wife to whom he was married for almost 30 years until her untimely death from cancer in 1984. Their son, Paul, was born in 1955, and their daughter, Mary, was born in 1958.

In 1959, Les and Carol decided that Hawthorne was not the place to raise a family. Les took weekend trips by train and bus up the coast of California, stopping in various locations that would be ideal for raising a family and establishing a barber shop. On one of these treks to Northern California, Les discovered the beautiful scenic village of Ben Lomond; the family moved there in 1960, and established "Les's Village Barber Shop." Multiple generations of San Lorenzo Valley residents received their first haircut from Les, and all kids remember getting bubble gum after every haircut - as long as you sat still.

Adults will remember the barber shop as a hotbed of conservative political conversation and local information. Les had a particular soft spot for many, including active duty military, missionaries, and others who frequently got a free haircut from Les to show his appreciation for their service. Even the "hippies" who told Les they were changing their ways and getting a short haircut in preparation for a new job got a free haircut.

During the Storm of 1982, the Love Creek Slide was about one-half mile from Les's home. Survivors of the devastating slide initially made their way there, and Les was able to notify authorities of the disaster. It was only after seeing Les being interviewed on a national morning news show days later that his family knew Les and Carol were safe.

Les was always an active volunteer. When the family was growing up, he served as a Vestry member at St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Ben Lomond, a Cub Scout leader with the Boy Scouts of America, and an American Legion leader.

In recent years Les dedicated himself to the Valley Churches United Missions VCUM where he was an active volunteer and honorary board member with the organization, working tirelessly and driving countless miles to collect food from various sources for the food shelves at the center. Les gave over 16,405 hours of service as a volunteer with VCUM since 1989. He was especially honored to receive an "Angel Award" from VCUM in 1995.

Les is also remembered for his many years as a volunteer firefighter with the Ben Lomond Volunteer Fire Department. Customers waiting for a haircut at his barber shop knew that when the fire siren went off, they might as well leave, as Les would be running to the fire station as soon as he finished trimming the head he was working on.

Les was also a friend to the animals. The Grizzell family ranch at the top of Love Creek playfully referred to by Les as "'Oleo' - a cheap spread" included over the years a menagerie of goats, donkeys, peacocks, chickens, roosters, cats, and dogs. A tall man with a boundless heart, Les always had room for one more lost furry friend who might need a home.

Les was also a man of quiet wisdom who was a life-long learner. His inquisitive nature made him an expert on many subjects. He also loved music and dancing. He met his wife, Carol, at the Polka Palace in southern California, and continued to enjoy polka and waltz music throughout his life.

Les was very proud of his family. His daughter, Mary O'Connell, and her husband, John, of Sausalito, provided special care for Les in his last years. His son, Paul, and his wife, Janice, of Woodbury, MN, and their children, Ashleigh, 22, and Nicholas, 18, loved having their grandfather visit Minnesota. Les was an animated storyteller, always quick with a funny story, and his grandchildren can recount many of them from memory. Of course, Les would visit in the summer - he couldn't quite understand why his son enjoyed living in the cold climate of Minnesota.

We also remember special friends of Les and his family, including the Wilders, the Carsons, the Bacons, Jeanne Goret, and many others; the lunch group at the San Lorenzo Valley Senior Center, Annette Marcum and all the volunteers at VCUM; the coffee group at Mountain Roasting, and the many who have both impacted and been impacted by Les's life.

Les is survived by his daughter Mary O'Connell, and husband John, of Sausalito, CA; son, Paul, and wife Janice, of Woodbury, MN; and grandchildren Ashleigh of Chicago, IL, and Nicholas of Woodbury, MN. Les was preceded in death by his loving wife, Carol.

A memorial service is pending. Contributions preferred in lieu of flowers to Valley Churches United Missions, PO Box 367, Ben Lomond, CA, 95005.