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Like his father, Joe Sapienza trained as a carpenter, but the younger man wanted to make his own mark.
“He decided to go to barber school, and he became a barber by trade,” his son said.
Sapienza was an Omaha barber for 55 years.
For 45 of them, people knew him as Joe the Barber, owner of Joe’s Barber Shop at 76th and Pacific Streets. He retired in 2006.
Joseph J. Sapienza Sr. died Wednesday at his Omaha home, said son Michael J. Sapienza of Omaha. The elder Sapienza was 74 and died of natural causes, his son said.
Some of Joe Sapienza’s customers were famous. In the early years, he cut Henry Fonda’s hair whenever the actor was in Omaha visiting his mother, Michael Sapienza said.
Some customers became close friends.
“The funny thing about barbers is they know everything. They have a gift for gab,” the son said.
Joe Sapienza, who grew up in Omaha’s Little Italy neighborhood, had been a member of the Sons of Italy until recent years, Michael Sapienza said. For many years, his father’s hobby was jewelry-making.
“He was very much a family man first. He always put himself second,” the son said.
Joe Sapienza was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, JoAnn M. Sapienza, and son Joseph J. Sapienza Jr.
Survivors also include daughter Cathy A. Richter of Omaha; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 4810 Woolworth Ave.
Contact the writer:
444-1165, sue.truax@owh.com
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