I Love Mokena: Pat's Barber Shop Has History, Boxing

Welcome back.

Of late we've had a few discussions about haircuts. to be exact. By the master himself, Mokena's own  Today I would like to discuss another Mokena business. And another Italian barber.

Pasquale "Pat" Musto emigrated to the United States as a young boy. His family hails from a small village in southern Italy, called Ripacandida. It doesn't show up on most maps. Coincidentally, my paternal grandparents were from the same town.

Pat learned the barber trade at an early age, watching and emulating Italian master barbers. He quickly discovered that he had great passion for the barber profession and pursued it as a career. For over three decades he's been perfecting his style and improving the coiffes of men all over the south suburbs.

Pat is a soft-spoken gentleman who stills conveys a thick Italian accent. With a scissors and a comb he is masterful. Several years ago he decided to move his shop, called Pat's Barber Shop, from Tinley Park to its present location at 19320 South La Grange Road, next to and in Mokena. He draws clientele from all around the Lincoln-Way area. Recently Pat has extended his hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and is open until 8 p.m.

Those of you interested in the sport of professional boxing and its history might be interested to know that Pat is related to Tony Musto, a heavyweight boxer from Blue Island who actually fought Joe Louis for the Heavyweight Title in 1941. Pat does bear some resemblance to the "Baby Tank", one of the fighter's nicknames.

Master barbers like Pat Musto and Tony Dina are becoming a rare breed. There are hardly any barber colleges left in America. If you have a favorite barber trained in the traditional style for mens' haircuts enjoy this artistry while you still can. I fear someday all we will have left is a beautician's chair or a flowbee. Not looking forward to that day at all.

So many great people that make up our community. More reasons to love Mokena.

If you have a favorite barber please drop me a line and tell me about him or her.

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