Sgt Marcus Trowbridge of the Saskatchewan Highway Patrol travelled from Swift Current to have one last haircut from Dean the Barber, who has been cutting his hair at CFB Shilo for the past 26 years. Growing up in Wawanesa, Sgt Trowbridge had his first haircut when his father brought him to the barbershop when it was called EX, not CANEX. His father, now a Shilo firefighter, was with the artillery on Base. Dean the Barber has trimmed and cut the hair of kids, and soldiers for 33 years. He did not do ladies cuts, leaving that to his staff. Photos Jules Xavier/Shilo Stag

Jules Xavier
Shilo Stag

It has been 33 years for Dean the Barber, cutting hair for the military — and their families — after he started at the barbershop when it was the EX, then renamed CANEX.
Back in the early days when he was giving crew cuts or styling thick hair of a certain era, and when the Germans were training their tank crews on this Base, you accessed the barbershop from a storefront which had a sidewalk out front.

CANEX and CFMWS celebrated Dean Grywacheski’s 30-year mark in 2019 with a special plaque, and cake. Dean the Barber was emotional during his own speech, telling those standing out in front of the barbershop he loved his job serving those who serve.

How many of you have sat in his barber’s chair for a military haircut, or just to tame the curls which have gone wild?

Did you talk sports with him, or just relaxed while he worked his magic with scissors and comb (or clippers)?

Dean the Barber started his job on this Base by working for his mentor, previous owner Matthew Yarchuk.

In April 2007, the reins to the barbershop were handed to Dean the Barber, who is easily recognizable walking down the CANEX hallway when he’s not positioned behind his barber’s chair. His shirt of choice is a T-shirt.

More than 90 individuals acknowledged Dean the Barber’s 30-year mark on the Stag’s Facebook page in 2019 with the following kudos, and thoughts on their own experiences. Here’s a small sampling from the Stag’s social media platform.

• Blake Budd: “Congrats Dean on your 30 years of loyal and dedicated service to the military and their family’s and the surrounding community.”=
• Stephen Damery: “Congratulations and very well deserved! Dean the Barber is certainly a fine and incredible man and the best barber in the west. I certainly miss going to his shop. Him and his great staff helps keep Shilo going!”
• Roger Carrasqueira: “Congrats Dean. Buddy, thanks for cutting my hair for 20 of those 30 years and being a great friend.”
• Eugen E Kli: “Congrats Dean. I was one of the Germans. You did always a great job! Well done!”
• Derek Millard: “Congratulations Dean! Thanks for all the flat-tops back in the day! Appreciate your service to the troops!”
• Patsy Murphy Marion: “Congratulations, Dean! Oh, the stories those walls, and you, could tell!”
• Troy Hicks: “Well done Dean. Great barber and even a better person. Miss you buddy!”
• Lonnie Goodfellow: “Awesome Dean. Keep them clippers clippin!”
• Marion Van Gemert Sembalerus: “Congratulations Dean. We were in Shilo right when you started in the barbershop. Thank-you for making Dan and Kevin Sembalerus looking great with their military cut.”
• Phil Fader: “Congrats Dean. Still can’t find another barber I trust to this day.”
• Valerie Schut: “Congratulations Dean. Getting you to cut my hair is still on my bucket list!”
• Scott Dewling: “Congrats! I got my hair cut there every two weeks for eight years.”

Meanwhile, following the announcement of his retirement from the barbershop, more than 115 comments appeared on the Stag’s Facebook page. Here is a sampling of those comments:

• Cindy Thompson: “It is so nice to know Dean has left such a positive legacy after taking over the shop from my Dad [Matt Yarchuk]. Huge credit to who you are and the family feel you gave the shop. Wishing you the best in this next chapter.”
• Chris Damjanoff: “Dean, many thanks from myself and my sons, You were the first to cut their hair when they were young!!! You and your dedicated services will be sorely missed in Shilo!!”
• Meg Baxter: “Wow, Dean gave our son his first ever haircut in 2012. I’m sure many families can say the same. Thanks for everything Dean!”
• Lee Hammond: “You are an icon of CFB Shilo Dean. Thanks for your outstanding service to the Base and your friendly welcome to me personally. I enjoyed getting to know you and wish you the best.”
• John Schneiderbanger: “Wow! It’s been a long while since I sat in one of your chairs but it was always a pleasure due to your friendliness and your staff’s. I wish you all the best for the future!”
• Stephen Damery: “Certainly one of the greatest barber shops around. Shilo will never be the same without Dean’s magic touch. Best wishes sir and thank-you. Good luck as you start a new chapter.”
• Keith Mullins: “Best of luck for your future Dean! The times spent in your chair was always great and the hockey chats were awesome!”
• Daniel Lefebvre: “Dean looking buff, not the same Dean I knew in ’85 – ’95 looking good brother you are living your best life. Thanks for all the hair trims brother and may God bless your path.”
• Shannon Barnes-Girouard: “Best wishes Dean! I’ll miss your friendly wave while passing through CANEX. Enjoy the next adventure!”
• Jose F. Vargas: “Dean, I was there ’93 – ’97 [MP]. I remember the whole gang, and what a place to chat like a family away from home. You and the staff were like family to all of us. Yes who would say that but me?”
• Michelle Fortin: “Thank-you Dean for giving Shawn the best haircuts and for all the great chats we had! We met you back when Nathan was around four years old and you also cut his hair. Where has the 27 years gone?! You will be missed by the community! Wishing you all the best in your next adventure.”
• Marion Van Gemert Sembalerus: “Thanks for giving my hubby great haircuts for many many years. You will be missed by many, but good luck with your next adventure.”
• Bradley LaRocque: “CANEX will never be the same without Dean. Best of luck with future endeavours!”
• Michelle Keech-Brown: “In the 13 years we lived in Shilo, the barbershop always had a happy/relaxed atmosphere. Staff changes happened, but the constant was the atmosphere, and that is Dean. You are going to be missed by many. Cheers to your next adventures.”
• Brooke O’Neill: “Thanks for everything Dean the Barber. Your staff you have had over the years have done amazing from my first haircut as a kid to my grad hair. Obviously, Dean didn’t do it himself cause he used to say he’d shave me bald. Lots of love Dean and your next chapter. More time on your bike.”
• Robyn Stadnyk: “I fell for a fella — one of your longtime clients Robin Everett. Must have been because of his handsome haircut. Even after we moved he would make special trips to Shilo just so you could cut his hair. Thank-you for your service and all the best in the future.”