Retiring after decades of cutting hair, Tamaqua barber Al Barnisky, 75, gave his last haircut last Thursday (April 30, 2015). Al’s son Matt Barnisky, who worked with his father since 1996, will continue to run the barbershop.
Barnisky said he went to Lehigh Barber College in 1961 and later served a nine-month apprenticeship in Coaldale with barber John Brunda. He eventually opened his own barber shop on the 200 block West Broad Street in Tamaqua in 1964. He added that he remembers charging only $1.50 a cut.
In 1972, Barnisky purchased the White Diner in South Tamaqua from his parents and operated it until 1986. Barnisky then worked at Bonita Springs Barber Shop in Florida for 2 and a half years.
In 1989, Barnisky returned to Tamaqua and re-opened his West Broad Street.
“I didn’t really need a haircut today, but I just wanted to stop and say by to Al before her retired,” said Joe Shamonsky of Hometown.
Barnisky, a 1957 Tamaqua graduate and Air Force veteran, talked of many stories and times during his career as a barber. “That is why you come to the barbershop,” said son Matt Barnisky, 45, who will take over the business.
David Meredith was the last person to receive a haircut from Al on Thursday. “In the 1970’s, I remember when Al gave me my first free haircut,” said Meredith, who added that his hair was over 3 feet long at the time.
“The first thing I am doing is throwing away my alarm clock,” said Barnisky. Al’s wife Linda said he normally starts his day at 4 AM.
Tamaqua Historical Society member Donald Serfass said, “At one time, Tamaqua had an almost-limitless supply of barbers: Harry Lewis and brother Clem, Russ Ackerman, Jim Hulsman, Stan Rubeshank, Nobel Hirsch, Johnny Bergalis, Jim Wasson, Joe Verano, Don Hadesty, Al Gould, Frank Myers, Cy Haldeman, and the list goes on.”
When asked about his best memories at the shop, Al stated his enjoyment of providing generations of family haircuts.

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