Jerry Sebastian Cottone, August 26, 1938 – April 11, 2015
Larchmont Boulevard favorite son, Jerry Sebastian Cottone, passed away on April 11, 2015 after a long and valiant fight against heart disease. There will be a small graveside service at 11am Monday, April 20 at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City.
Jerry operated the Larchmont Barber Shop on the boulevard for more than 50 years. He was the barber to multiple generations of men in our neighborhood and was a champion for the Boulevard throughout his years. Cottone closed his Barber Shop in October 2012 due to poor health and eventually found a new owner in George Hilario to whom he could entrust a continuation of his barber shop legacy.
Cottone is survived by his wife, Diane and two sons Chris and Doug.
“Jerry gave me my first haircut and every haircut until he retired,” Windsor Square resident George Hawley told the Larchmont Buzz. “He was simply, the best. He and his father ran a barber shop on Larchmont for over 70 years – if there ever was an institution on Larchmont that observed the passing of generation to generation, the Larchmont Barber Shop was it. I always looked forward to the regular visits to his shop. He was dedicated and loyal, even closing his shop on the Saturday of my wedding so he could attend – that was a direct sacrifice on his part.”
Please share your memories of Jerry in our comment section below.
Read More:
Larchmont Buzz – Missing Jerry on Larchmont Boulevard
Thirty years of haircuts and shoulder massages. I haven’t found anyone to take his place. Probably never will.
I’ve been fortunate to know Jerry literally all 51 years of my life. He was a second dad to me. His father, Vince, gave me my first hair cut in the booster chair in 1963. Vince also cut my great grand father’s and my grand father’s hair. Jerry was also a fixture of the shop and did a seamless job taking over for his dad and was the institutional anchor of Larchmont for many decades. Nearly all the men in my family have had the pleasure of Jerry being our professional groomer, confidant, and dear friend. After getting married in 1993 and re-locating to Orange County, I commuted over 50 miles one way every month to visit Jerry, as only he was trusted to cut my thinning hair!
It’s good to know Jerry was able to find someone he had confidence in to take over his valued shop. He will be sincerely missed and my many memories with Jerry will always be cherished. Best wishes to the entire family. God Bless Jerry, be happy and peaceful in Heaven! Thanks for the many excellent hair cuts, careful single blade side burn trims with warm shaving cream, and of course the ultra relaxing (try not to fall a sleep) electric shoulder massages! Love, Scott.
Those were the days! Scott Torrence (I grew up with his Father!)got it right. Throughout my younger years, Jerry and his Dad cut my hair as well as giving the famous neck massage. I lived around the corner from Larchmont and Jerry’s. It was an institution!!! I remember when Vince moved the shop down the street ….sort of across the street from the old movie theater so we could ride our bikes to the Saturday matinees and get our flattops cut at the same time. Truly the end of an era for all of us!
I moved to California when I was 10 years old in 1962 and Jerry’s father, Vince, gave me my first haircut here. 50 years of haircuts at the Larchmont Barber Shop followed, mostly by Jerry. I’ve got videos of Jerry cutting both of my boy’s hair along with a picture of my father, myself and my boys-three generations of Russell haircuts! It was always a good day at the Larchmont Barber Shop if the Trojans beat the Bruins or the Irish in football or better still, both. Not so good if the fortunes went the other way.
Integrity is found in many places, not always in the most visible of places. Jerry worked off of appointments and it didn’t matter who you were or what you would pay, you weren’t going to bump someone out of their place who had an appointment ahead of you, even if they were running a few minutes late.
Jerry’s work ethic was legendary. First delivering newspapers and then working for Vons, all before he started his day job at the barber shop. The country needs more Jerry’s!
I last spoke with Jerry a few years ago after he retired and I should have talked to him more. I already miss him.
Vaya con Dios, Jerry!
Truly an institution, and a wonderful man. I moved to LA in 1981 and within days walked into Jerry’s shop. Never looked elsewhere, there was no reason. Jerry attended to me, my two sons, and eventually a grandson. After moving in 1988, I too made a 60 mile round trip drive to see Jerry every two weeks. I wouldn’t have thought to do otherwise. He was a good friend and will certainly be missed by many. My condolences to Diane, Chris and Doug.