Oh, My Papa

This is a tribute to our Papa.

Dedicated to George Manuel
for his day of birth on
11 of March 2012.

George ... Jorge ... Das was seven years old,

when Papa left us in 1954.

To Louie, Sergio and Roger

for our time with him.

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Dad's Early Life

Dad's Birth Certificate

In Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico on the 5th of

March 1908 at 3 o'clock in the morning

Luis Manuel Haro

was born to Luis L. Haro and Maria Villegas.
Note: Dad had always told us that he was
born on Leap Year, the 29th of February
1908. Not until I picked up his birth
certificate in Guadalajara did I know his
real date of birth. My thoughts:
I think he had heard stories that he was
expected to be born on the 29th and decided
that having a birthday every four years would
be fun so he could say he was younger.

Papa's parents ...

Maria y Luis
Their Wedding Day 6 of May 1907
#

Some photos and research from my trip in 2007

Calle Mezouitan 66

Papa was born here, per his

birth certificate. It is in the

neighborhood of Hidalgo, which

is now in an older section of

Guadalajara.

Dad always had a sense of humor

First Communion ... 1915
#
El Cementerio Mesquitan

It is the oldest cementary in Guadalajara.

Dad's father and his grandfather, Donaciano

Haro are buried side-by-side. Dad's father

died 20 of November 1916 and his grand-

father died 20 of June 1921.

Dad's Father

Luis L. Haro

1885 ~ 1916

Note: Mama remembered Dad telling her

that the Haros came from the Valle de

Juchipila in the state of Zacatecas. The
Haros from there are light skinned with
blue or green eyes, like Dad's father,
our Abuelo. His middle initial L. could be
for Lucius, Sergio's middle name.

Dad was eight years old, when his father died

in 1916. Dad and his mother, Maria Villegas

de Haro went to live with her sister, Jesucita

Villegas de Arias. The Arias' family lived a

confortable lifestyle. Their children, Dad's

cousins, Grisiela, Agustin, Francisco (Paco),

Guillermo and Manuel pursued professions

in education, medicine, buisness and law. Dad

was sent to junior seminary, as was the custom

for one family member to enter a religious

order. I remember hearing that Dad wanted to

be a missionary and play the organ in Rome.

Misioneros del Espirito Santo

Para Jovenes

When I was in Tlaquepaque, I went into an

elegant shop with a beautiful courtyard and

found out that it use to be a junior seminary.
After some research, I found out this was the
junior seminary Papa had attended. It was the
only one during the 1920's.
#
The Cristero Rebellion

of 1926~1928

There were bitter conflicts against the Catholic

Church under the dictatorship of President

Calles. He wanted to eradicate the Catholic

Church and establish a national church. The

Mexican government closed down churches,

seminaries and convents. The rebellion started

on New Year's Day in 1927, when some

Catholics took arms for their religious liberty.

Many priests, some nuns and Catholic laymen

were murdered. It was during this time Dad

left Guadalajara for his safety.

A video on the Cristero Rebellion

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXG3Yz6TvS4&feature=related

Dad was nineteen years old, when he first

crossed the Nogales, Sonora border into

Calexico on October 12, 1927 with his

mother. His immigration document stated

that he was a barber and spoke English.

Per Dad's immigration paper, he returned

to Guadalajara four or five times from

1927 to 1933, while living in Calexico.

Dad met Mama, when she was working at

Woolworth's. Mama told me that Dad would

come in and flirt with her with his

"wonderful green eyes."

Lola Salomon

Dad's courting photo September 13, 1933

Their Wedding Day

12 of May 1934

... comming out of St. Joseph's Church with

Sam Navarro, Padrino and Eleanor Downey,

Madrina. In the background is Abuelo and

Abuela with her big smile that I remember.

Their reception was at 7 in the evening at

423 E. 16th Street.

(Their formal marriage announcement stated they

were to be married 7 of April, but Dad's mother died

and they postponed it to May 12, 1934).

St. Joseph's Church

12th and Los Angeles St.

It was a landmark for 82 years before

it burnt down. The new church bears

little resemblence.

Dad started out as an elevator attended

with Alfonso and Sam.

(I remember this lobby)

2868 West 8th Street

Per my birth certificate, this is where

I was born. Dad and Mom had been

living here since 1936.

Bullocks Wilshire

Steeped in the glamour of the rich and
famous, the Bullocks Wilshire building is
a stunning, masterly crafted Art Deco
treasure that occupies a special place in
Los Angeles history. It regularly drew the
Hollywood elite, such as, John Wayne, Greta
Garbo, Alfred Hitchcock, Marlene Dietrick,

Clark Gable, Dolores Del Rio and Shirley
Temple. Sergio remembers seeing Shirley
in the toy department, which was next
to Dad's shop.

Shirley Temple's red tricycle

(It was given to Dad and stayed in our family for years)

Dad's Professional Life

Luis the Children's Barber

The Young Barber

When Dad first started cutting hair at

Bullocks Wilshire, he looked like an artist

with his smock and bow ... he was one!

According to Dad, his smock frighten his

small clients, so he wore tailor-made suits.

A Renaissance Man

Dad specialized in children's first hair

cuts and his clientele came from the

Hollywood film and television industry.

Dad's professional photo collection came

from parents, who took their children's

first hair cut.

Dad had toys for the children, so they
would feel at ease ... a fun distraction.

A classy man ...
(photo taken at the Los Angeles Harbor)

Mexico City

Chapultepec Castle ... 1940

His ring was a treasured reminder
of his Guadalajara ... his 'Tierra.' It
depicted the Mexican Flag

He was buried with it.
#

His hands were his tools ...

#
March 1944

Helping Patty Ann
#
May 1944

Their 10th Anniversary
#
He was intense like a bull fighter!

#
Steve gets a haircut!

He used his hands like an artist creating
portraits ...

#
March 26, 1944

"This is Rickey and his barber
at Bullocks Wilshire."
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Announcement for
Luis' Children's Barber Shop
April 15, 1947

405 North Bedford Drive,
Beverly Hills

Featuring the famous children's
hair dressing "Lu Haro"
formerly El Hairo ... Dad's
sense of humor.

"David Gregory having his first
haircut at eight and half months."
Dad would do house calls to clients
living in Beverly Hills and Brentwood.
#
Dad cut hair around the wiggly
children ... he was young at
heart.