John Cercone
March 5, 1932 ~ March 17, 2004
John “Bluegrass” Cercone was born on March 5, 1932, in Follansbee, WV, to John and Teresa Bonaventura Cercone.
He grew up in Follansbee with his family. When he was six years old his father, Nick, named him Bluegrass. He graduated from Follansbee High School in 1950. He served his country in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict. In 1957 he established the Bluegrass Barber Shop located at 110 Taylor Avenue. On June 28, 1958 he married Helen Palumbo, and together they had two children, Lori and Mark. In 1962 Bluegrass moved his barber shop to its present location, at the Weirton Heights Shopping Plaza on Penco Road. His barber shop was not only famous for a place where you could get a hair cut, but it was a place where Bluegrass and his two barbers, John and Harold, and their clients could offer advice, and solve the problems of world. Bluegrass was a fun loving person to be around. He enjoyed cooking for his family and friends. He was a member of Saint Paul Roman Catholic Church, the Theta Chi Alpha Fraternity, K of C 3734, I.S.D.A.; BPOE 1801, The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association Western Pennsylvania Chapter, and the Williams Country Club.
On Wednesday March 17, 2004, Bluegrass passed away at the age of 72. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and a brother, Jack Cercone.
He is survived by his son Mark Cercone of Weirton and his daughter Lori Andrew and her husband Jeff of West Bloomfield, MI; his grandchildren, Kady, John, Carly and Alec; his brother, Gino Cercone of Weirton; and his sisters, Marguerite and Dora Cercone both of Follansbee.
Visitation will be 7-9 PM Thursday and 2-9 PM Friday at the Greco Hertnick Funeral Home 3219 Main Street Weirton.
Knights of Columbus Rosary will be recited 7 PM Friday in the funeral home.
Funeral Liturgy with Mass will be celebrated 11 AM Saturday at the Saint Paul Roman Catholic Church, Weirton
Monsignor Patrick Fryer will preside.
Interment will follow at the Saint Paul Cemetery.
Share tributes with his family at www.grecohertnick.com
Mark and Lori, you have my deepest sympathy on your loss of your father. I have countless memories of BLUEGRASS that I will cherish for many many years. Blue was a true friend to me always. God Bless you both and yours, Nick Kundrat
Our deepest sympathy to the family.
Lori and Mark, Isha and I wish our most sincere condolences to you and your family. Blue gave me my first haircut and when the time came he did the same for my son (I have a photo that I cherish dearly). Blue will always be a special person in my heart as he was the king of laughs. I will always remember the times growing up and when I would come back from school over the holidays, the warm hospitality and great food prepared by Blue. I am glad he is at peace. Sincerely “Bictor Ray”
May Memories Soothe Your Spirit.
Lori and Mark, We were deeply saddened by the news of your father’s passing. Our sympathies and prayers are with you and your families at this sad time. I am sure there is one hell of a family reunion going on now in a better place. The corn has just arrived!
Dear Lori and Mark, I’m so sorry to read of your Dad’s passing. I remember being neighbors on Collins Way so many years ago. I have pictures of you both (circa 1961,)too. Both your Mom and Dad were so nice and a pleasure to know. I remember the political conversations our Dads’ would engage in…. out in the front yard! The Collins Way alumni is getting smaller each year. Please accept my sympathy and prayers. Sincerely, Noel
Dear Lori, and Mark, I am really sorry to hear that your dad passed away. He was a great man. I was his caregiver for a few days; but it was really nice to take care of your dad. I wanted him to be my client; but that never happened. He will always be remembered by me. Because he was a great guy that everyone would had loved if they would had met him like I did for those few days. Take care, and God bless your family. Sincerely yours Kathy Darlena Clark
Dear Mark and Lori & Family: We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to you. Your father was a great person who brought so much joy to so many. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Dear Lori and Mark, My deepest sympathies to you. I loved your dad more than you know and his passing was a shock to me since I am not around the area. He always made me feel special and could make a joke about anything. He was a great man, husband, and father. He sure was a large part of my dad, Bill’s, life, as he was to so many. God bless you. Love, your cousin, Sandy
My family and I will miss you Blue. I love you. Mark and Laurie, I am unforetuneatly not going to be able to come up as I will be away on business. We love you and you are in our hearts and prayers. Ralph, Susie, Gabrielle, Allyse and Joseph.
A poem for the family. We love you and our prayers are with you. We knew one day, God would come knocking on his door, We’re sad to see him go, But he suffers no more. Gone so suddenly, To a new life above, Such a good man, Who filled our hearts with love, He’s gone home, But his image lingers in our minds, He’s now God’s special angel, one of the treasured kinds. -Love, Maria Lana Pirraglia
Dear Lori, Mark, Gino, Dora & Margie: I tried to come but was unable to at the last minute. I hope you know how very special Bluegrass is to me and my children. He’s a light that we’ll always see shining when we look at the stars, the flickering of a candle burning, that special moment in your lives that you wish he was here on earth sharing with you, know that he is beside you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Love, Cindy
I was so very saddened when my parents in Toronto, Ohio told me of Bluegrass’ passing. I had my hair cut there always as a child for like 18 years and my parents have known him for much much longer than that. Whenever I came home from Florida to visit my parents we always stopped in to see him and the last time was last August. He was just such a dear sweet man who never forgot me and I will never forget him either.
I will always remember Bluegrass for giving me my first hair cut