Robert V. Vavro, Sr.

Please keep the family and friends of Robert V. Vavro in your hearts and prayers. Mr. Vavro entered into rest on September 5, 2017, age 90, born, raised and lived in the Hazelwood community of the city of Pittsburgh, the son of the late John and Genevieve Vavro.



Beloved husband of Carolyn (O’Connor), loving father of Robert V. Vavro, Jr, (Lisa); John J. Vavro; James E. Vavro (Mary); grandfather of the late Tricia Lynn Vavro and Carolyn Vavro; great-grandfather of Sean Bane, Sheana and Julia McPaul.



At the age of 17, graduating early from Central Catholic, he enlisted into the Navy during the Korean War. Afterwards Robert worked with his father in the barber shop and studied the art of clock making (horology) until he took over John Vavro’s Barber Shop at 4934 Second Avenue in Hazelwood, due to his father’s dire illness. Shortly thereafter both his brothers, Joe and Ed, joined in the barber shop. Although Robert (aka. Bob or ‘Mr. V’) managed the barber shop, he kept up his amazing clock making in his spare time.



Bob was a licensed barber instructor and taught several years at Pittsburgh Barber School. Prominent in the Barber world, during his career he served in many capacities: Vice president and Secretary-treasurer, Pennsylvania Association of Journeymen Barbers; President of PA Legislative Council of Organized Barbers; Secretary of PA Cosmetology Council; Proctor for Pennsylvania state barber license Committee; Vice president of the National Association of Barber Boards of America; Vice president of the Barbers, Beauticians and Allied Industries International Association; President of Pennsylvania Barbers Credit Union; and appointed by both Democratic and Republican Governors to serve six three year terms as a member of the PA State Board of Barber Examiners. He stood in many picket lines supporting the UFCW union, and marched in every Labor Day parade until this year. In 2007, he was elected into the National Barber Museum Hall of Fame.



Bob was a founding and active member, serving on the board of Hazelwood Initiative, Inc, a community based organization and community development non-profit, and was a lifelong member of St. Stephens Catholic Church. Bob was a pillar of the Hazelwood community throughout his life, evident on July 10, 2012 with the dedication of the Bob Vavro, Sr. Garden at Second and Johnston Avenues in Hazelwood in his honor. On his ninetieth birthday, Mach 30, 2017, Pittsburgh City Council proclaimed the day to be “ROBERT V. VAVRO, SR. DAY’ due to his lifelong residency and dedication to improving his community.



An avid sports fan, he was a season ticket holder for 60 years, back to when the Steelers played at Pitt Stadium. He watched every Pirates, Penguins, Pitt and even Penn State games. In addition, he was extremely active swimming daily, bowling and gardening. But his passion was skiing Kitzbuhel, Austria and the Alps, often with his three sons, for 55 consecutive years until the age of 88.



Besides his parents he is preceded in death by his oldest brother, John, his youngest brother, Ed, granddaughter, Tricia, and survived by sisters Eleanor and Jean, brother, Joe, as well as many nephews and nieces.



Family and friends will be welcomed at the John D. O’Connor and Son Funeral Home, 5106 Second Avenue in Hazelwood Thursday and Friday 2-4pm and 6-8 pm. Christian burial with Saturday mass will be held at 10am at St. Stephens Church.