East Windsor resident donates 10 1/2 inches of his hair to Locks of Love.
By: Lauren Burgoon
EAST WINDSOR When Stuart Cohen walked into Anthony Vincent salon his long hair made him "a dead ringer for Jerry Garcia," according to his wife Gaye.
Thirty minutes later Mr. Cohen, 56, had a new haircut and his long ponytail was in an envelope en route to a charity that makes wigs for sick children.
As Mrs. Cohen looked on approvingly, family friend and hairdresser Dana Montello cut off 10½ inches of Mr. Cohen’s hair with a few quick snips of her scissors.
"It’s so nice. Now I don’t have to comb out his hair for work," Mrs. Cohen said. "And if it can do some good, why not?"
The Cohens, who live on Nettleson Drive in East Windsor, discussed donating Mr. Cohen’s hair to Locks of Love after learning of the nonprofit organization. Locks of Love collects donated hair to create wigs for children with hair loss caused by diseases such as cancer and alopecia areata. Gray hair like Mr. Cohen’s is not made into wigs, but instead sold to raise money for the wig manufacturing process.
Mr. Cohen’s new hairdo came about somewhat reluctantly. He has sported long hair for much of his adult life and Mrs. Cohen said that in over 30 years of marriage, she has never seen him without a mustache. But a career change meant the long hair had to go.
Mr. Cohen worked at a building supply company for over 25 years and he was the third generation of his family to work there. When a change in management resulted in layoffs, Mr. Cohen decided to pursue teaching, a longtime interest for him.
Now he is taking courses to receive his teaching certification while he works as an aide in the West Windsor school district. He expects to begin interviewing for teaching jobs soon and he said he was advised to polish up his look for potential employers.
Mr. Cohen’s long hair made for several interesting encounters in the past, according to Mrs. Cohen. A few years ago, she said, one small boy was amazed to see "Santa Claus" in March. And when Grateful Dead singer Jerry Garcia was alive, "groups of Deadheads would follow us around the mall, whispering and getting excited."
Mrs. Cohen repeatedly complimented her husband’s new look as he rose from the chair, but Mr. Cohen was more reserved. Taking a fleeting look in the mirror he said, "It’s different, but I like it."
Then he added, "But I’m never cutting my beard off."