Achille A.C. "Scotty" Cibelli

12/16/2005

Achille A.C. "Scotty" Cibelli, 85, of 156 West Park St. died Friday at Berkshire Medical Center. Mr. Cibelli was Norman Rockwell's personal barber and the model for the illustration "First Haircut." Born in Glasgow, Scotland, on Feb. 12, 1920, son of Gaitano and Susan Mancini Cibelli, he was a "soap boy" at the age of 9 in his father's hairdressing salon, which was patronized by film stars worldwide. He moved to London when he was 14 and barbered at Fuscos Barbershop. During World War II, he served in the British Army as a Morse code operator in the Highland Light Infantry. He received a medal for special acts of gallantry. Mr. Cibelli immigrated to the United States in 1948 after being hired as opera singer Mario Lanza's private hairdresser. He moved to Lee in 1955 and opened a barbershop. He retired in 1990, only to open a shop in Dennisport, which he operated until 1993. He returned to Lee and continued cutting hair until 2001. He was a communicant of St. Mary's Church. Mr. Cibelli enjoyed gardening, boxing and driving horses, and was a Yankees fan. He and his wife, the former Jessie Garrity, would have celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary Jan. 3. Also born in Glasgow, Mrs. Cibelli met her husband while working in Pittsfield as a nanny for the family of Dr. Chaim Wildman. They were married at St. Mark's Church in Pittsfield. Besides his wife, he leaves a daughter, Susan Ferguson of Hillsdale, N.Y.; a son, Michael "Slip" Cibelli of Cape Coral, Fla.; a sister, Thelma Hunter of Sydney, Australia; five grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. FUNERAL NOTICE -- A memorial service for Achille A.C. Cibelli, 85, who died Friday, Dec. 16, 2005, will be celebrated tomorrow at 10 at St. Mary's Church by the Rev. Anthony Cullen. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. A reception at the Morgan House will follow. All who loved Scotty are welcome to attend. The family suggests that memorials may be made to St. Mary's School library in Scotty's memory in care of St. Mary's School, Orchard Street, Lee, MA 01238. He also leaves a son-in law, Kevin Ferguson; a daughter-in-law, Debbie Cibelli; his grandchildren, Laura Crandall-Bohl, Jessica Crandall, Cynthia Cibelli, Carlo Cibelli and Jaedra Cibelli, and his great grandson, Desequille.

Obituaries

Celebrating Lives & Legacies

Achille A.C. "Scotty" Cibelli

Memorials