A pioneering New Westminster barber has lost his hard-fought battle with cancer.
John Van Leest bought the Hub barbershop in 1955 and continued working there for many years.
"He worked there until he retired and made many lifetime friends and customers," said son-in-law Paul Sanders.
An ardent fisher and hunter, Van Leest passed away at home on Jan. 7. A service is being held on Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 1: 30 p.m. at Forest Lawn at 3789 Royal Oak Ave. in Burnaby.
The Hub opened on Sixth Street in 1954 - the same year Woodwards was built in the uptown - and Van Leest bought the barbershop a year later. In 2009, it returned to a location not far from its original home.
Sanders who took over when Van Leest retired, once recalled the words of his mentor.
"He said, 'Have you ever thought about being a barber? You get to meet nice people," he recalled. "He said you will never be rich, but you will never be broke.'"
