MCRD San Diego -- Riccardo ‘Rick’ Ferrantello has been a fixture at the depot’s barber shop for the last year.
“I’ve cut the hair on hundreds of depot Marines in that time,” he said, “as well as retirees and family members. I’ve cut the hair of babies and of great-grandfathers. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”
Ferrantello, who was born in Sicily in 1959, came to San Diego with his family in 1966 when he was six-years old. “I can remember being apprenticed in a barber shop as a kid, sweeping up the hair at four; and playing street soccer.
“And I remember the trip from Sicily to San Diego,” he continued. “We lived in Little Italy, down by the harbor, when we got here.”
Ferrantello said that he attended San Diego High School, but did not get his diploma until 10-years later when he earned his GED. “And I became a citizen in 1972, in a naturalization ceremony at the Lafaette Hotel.
“I love this city and this country,” Ferrantello said. “I’ve lived my life here and will die here.”
Ferrantello began his professional life in construction. “I joined the carpenters union when I was 17, and made my living hanging drywall, installing metal stud framing and building things.
“Then, at 34, I hurt my back.”
“I couldn’t continue as a carpenter,” he said, “so I retrained as a barber. I went to work cutting hair and then, about a year ago, I got a job here on the depot. I’ve been here ever since.”
Ferrantello has been married to his wife Marie for 31 years. They have three children. Nicholas, the oldest, is a bi-lingual school teacher. His brother Christopher, 24, works in the food service industry and has ambitions to own his own pizzeria.
“My youngest,” said Ferrantello “is 14-year old Angela, a high school freshman and a cheerleader who dreams of becoming a doctor.”
When he is not cutting hair on the depot Ferrantello may be found cutting hair at his wife’s salon. “I work there on Saturdays,” he said, “helping out and making a little extra.
When he’s not cutting hair Ferrantello has other things he enjoys doing.
“I like going to flea markets,” he continued, “and enjoy buying old books and DVD’s. And I spend time with my family at our church.”