Herman David Maxey, of Quincy, a loving family man and top-tier barber in Boston for more than 50 years, passed away peacefully on Memorial Day, May 27, 2019. He was 79.
With clippers, scissors and inciteful words of wisdom, Mr. Maxey passed on knowledge and insight to hundreds of customers who sat in his spinning chair. Whether it was politics or sports, religion or business, his understanding of the world revealed a man who knew more about life than just cutting hair.
Mr. Maxey, who was affectionately called “Blue” by those who knew him, was born in Madison, Georgia on June 18, 1939. He volunteered in the United States Army as a teenager and relocated to Boston at the age of 18. He earned his cosmetology license and was a Master Barber in Boston for more than five decades.
He was a loving man and enjoyed spending time with friends and family. He liked reading, especially books by and about Elijah Muhammad. He also enjoyed traveling, a hobby highlighted by a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Vietnam in 2011. And he often shared inspirational thoughts and encouraging words with family, friends and people he would meet.
Mr. Maxey was the companion of Annie Son. He was married for 23 years to Carolyn (Myers) Maxey, with whom he had six children. They are Garry, the late Kym, Alicia (Maxey Greene) (son-in-law Leonard) Nicole, Kyle and Keith (daughter-in-law Rachel). He was also the father of Karimah and Kareem Smith. He is the beloved son of Naomi (Williams) Maxey-Jackson and the late Will Junior Maxey, and brother of Thera (Johnson) Wilson and Willie “Kimble” Johnson.
He is also survived by 21 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and the extended Son family.
Robert J. Lawler & Crosby Funeral Home, 1803 Centre St., West Roxbury, is handling the funeral arrangements. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.