05 Nov Now That’s Amore!!
Leo was a man that spent 86 years, 10 months and 29 days effortlessly making magic within moments and leaving love in his wake. That sentence might almost sound contrite, maybe even too sappy to read on, but I encourage you to take the plunge.
Born Leonardo Santamaria, yes, a signature name appropriately given to a human destined to create his own era. The remarkable journey of this epic man began on Nov. 19, 1933 in Monte Sant’ Angelo, Italy. While many in this small town were feeling the vacuum affect that poverty lends itself to, Leo had faith in his heart coupled selflessness in his soul. At 10 years old, after a two-year career of selling cigarettes and bartering for bread on the black market with US Soldiers who took over his small town in Italy, Leo became a barber. These days, 10 year old’s aren’t allowed to touch a set of scissors without a liability waiver signed and code blue emergency training mandated! A fleeting 7 years later, his father’s work on the CN Rail in Canada enabled approved passage for Leo and his siblings. Faith trumped fear when Leo left his family, his comforts and his language behind for the dream of a better life in the land of toques, hockey and consummate politeness.
Without a word of English in his linguistic arsenal, Leo shone his bright smile as he settled in Windsor, Ontario. He was fuelled with pizazz and a relentless drive to make something out of the life he felt blessed to live. Then, with just a few English lessons under his belt he interviewed for a position as a barber. But who believes an 18 year old touting an 8 year career as a barber? Of course, the barber interviewing him must have thought Leo was a bit questionable especially since most of his answers were “Yes & No” but he trusted his intuition and allowed Leo to show him his talent. This marked Leo’s first job and a magnificent turning point in his life.
Each day as Leo worked his magic with scissors and clippers, he also honed his stalking prowess. Beatrice was a young hair stylist that worked in the same building. She wasn’t aware of it at first but her magnetic pull to Leo was changing his currents and shaping his stars. Leo began some covert operations on his own. When he ascertained where Beatrice caught the bus, he’d mutter to himself, “Oh, thanks God” then of course, oh so casually, he’d board the same bus which took him to nowhere close to where he lived…just to spend time acting like he wasn’t trying to spend time with the girl that he loved for all the right reasons. Finally, Leo enhanced his courting rituals to actual conversations which led to Beatrice bringing what his family thought was, some way too smooth Casanova, home. He was met by what he refers to as, “the crew.” Likeable Leo was in a pickle. It got worse when he found out that Beatrice’s parents had arranged a marriage for her but thankfully, love conquered all and when they came to get her at the shop, she snuck out the side door to the waiting arms of Leo. In 1958 the two did exactly what fate had planned, they married and effortlessly devoted their lives and love to one another, each and every day and beyond till death they did part.
The South Windsor Barber Shop became Leo’s literal epi-centre for haircuts, telling stories and saving souls in 1967. Leo had actually wanted to become a Doctor but decided that he’d apply his “degree of being a good man” to an equally inspiring vocation. Leo was a 7am to 7pm artist whose chair became your throne. Giving first haircuts, that led to prom haircuts, that led to she dumped me haircuts, that led to she loves me wedding haircuts ~ then a literal, lather, rinse repeat as he welcomed in the next generation squirmy little fellows. He cared for up to 5 generations of families and felt blessed to do so. His days off were equally about altruism and community. His vibrancy would be felt at hospitals and nursing homes where he’d share kind words, then pause, as he also listened with the same kindness while he cut the hair for anyone needing it. Sometimes it was their last haircut. Everyone has a different sense of currency. Leo’s currency was more evolved than mere dollars and cents. His currency was about the exchange of goodwill and benefit to mankind. Our lives are made up of a sequence of moments…he made those moments rich.
In April of 2010 Leo finally retired. He had spent 66 years carving a path and leaving a legacy. When he left the shop, he had very few requests other than for them to honour his promises to his clients. Special promises were not to be broken. Leo was inseparable with Beatrice so when she went into the Villages of St. Clair for 17 months, he was there every day, all day. On Sept. 13, 2019, Beatrice earned her wings and at that very moment of separation, Leo’s heart sustained an irreparable fracture. Just two months later he received a pacemaker and stents, then in March of this year, he had a valve replacement making a formidable recovery. He got to putz in his garden of the only home he’s known since 1958. And even though his knees robbed him of sleep due to achy arthritis, on Sept. 27th, he made his way to Como’s pizza so he could bring a pizza to the staff at the Villages of St. Clair in continued gratitude for the wonderful care of his beloved Bea. The next day, Leo called himself an ambulance. He knew something was coming and later that day, he sustained a heart attack that would keep him in the hospital until, on Oct. 18th at 10am, with Luci, Lori and Bart, his adoring children right next to him, Leo went to be with Bea, the greatest love of his life.
Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident. It’s not a matter of circumstance but of choice.
Leonardo Santamaria chose to live a life that mattered.
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