Haddonfield Barber Frank Montemurro Dies Suddenly

As word spread of the sudden death of Frank Montemurro—who ran the Haddonfield institution, —customers began offering tributes Sunday. 

Outside of the Kings Highway barbershop Sunday morning, a lone bouquet of blue and white flowers sat, accompanied by a note addressed to Frank with the hand drawn picture of barber’s comb. By afternoon, more arrangements appeared, one with a pinwheel spinning gently in the breeze.

Residents began posting Saturday afternoon on Haddonfield Talks, an Internet forum on town matters, that something was amiss at Frank’s. A sign was posted on the shop’s door reading, “Due to unforeseen circumstances, we will be closed until further notice.”

Mayor Tish Colombi said Sunday the news of Montemurro's death is "very tough."

"He was a great guy," said Columbi, one of three borough commissioners for more than 25 years and a resident for 43 years. "He didn't live here, but this was his town. He was one of us. He's been part of many families in town. My two grandsons got their first haircuts there.

"It's a little family memory that won't be there anymore."

Haddonfield resident Herb Hess, a frequent customer at Frank’s, first posted the information on Haddonfield Talks. He told Haddonfield Patch Sunday that Montemurro was a good-natured man who cared deeply about his family and customers.

“He was a kind person. Everyone who went to the shop loved him,” Hess said. “He wasn’t a complicated person. He enjoyed simple things—his family, going down the Shore.”

Hess compared Montemurro to Cal Ripken—the kind of person who shows up day after day, working and doing his best.

 “That’s Frank. He had a real team spirit,” Hess said, noting that the barbers and stylists at the shop always had a healthy banter going. “They were always watching out for each other,” he added.

This is a developing story. Stay with Haddonfield Patch for more information as it becomes available.

Do you have a remembrance of Frank Montemurro to share? Post it in the comments or email Bill Duhart, local editor, at bill.duhart@patch.com.