Westley Hancock always joked that he would make his wife, Emily Hancock, the best barber in town.
“He was one of a kind,” Emily Hancock said. “He was full of life.”
The late owner of Bruce’s Barbershop, died Tuesday, June 16 at home.
Although the medical examiner’s report has not yet been released, officials believe that Mr. Hancock’s death was most likely caused by an electrocution that occurred while he was replacing a ceiling fan.
Mr. Hancock was a longtime resident of Plant City, having graduated from Plant City High School in 1992. After participating in the school’s cosmetology program, Hancock opened Bruce’s Barbershop, which he owned for 12 years.
The barbershop was named for his grandfather. Mr. Hancock was the third barber in his family, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. He later taught his wife, Emily Hancock, how to be a barber.
Westley Hancock was well-liked in the Plant City community and many have already stopped by Bruce’s Barbershop to pay their condolences. The shop is located at 2311 Thonotosassa Road #2 in Plant City.
After his death, Mr. Hancock’s friends and family took to Facebook to share memories and photos. Hancock loved FSU football, fishing and the beach.
Julie Hasting, a Plant City resident, grew up with both Mr. Hancock and his wife.
“He was such a caring person and a strong leader,” Hasting said. “He was a problem solver and always had everyone’s back.”
Hasting’s 14-year-old son, Cole, recognized Hancock’s genuineness. He went to Bruce’s Barbershop every two weeks to get his hair cut.
“He’s always cared about what was going on in everybody’s life,” Cole Hasting said.
Many believe this is what made Mr. Hancock have such a lasting impact on members of the community.
“When you care, you have to remember and show it,” Julie Hasting said.
Mr. Hancock always showed that he cared. While he was with his wife a few years ago, he saw an older man on the side of the road with a flat tire. Even though it was pouring rain, Mr. Hancock got out of the car to replace the tire. He refused to accept any payment and returned to his own car soaking wet.
Luke Weromik was another friend of Hancock. He knew Hancock he was growing up as a teenager, and often watched FSU football games with him.
“He was a staple in Plant City,” Weromik said. “He was a good guy with a good head on his shoulders. Everybody that knew him liked him.”
“He always had a smile on his face,” Emily Hancock added. “He would strike up conversations at Wal-Mart with people he didn’t even know.”
Michael Pippin was another longtime friend of Hancock.
“Westley was always defending those that could not defend themselves,” Pippin said.
Pippin’s son liked to keep his hair longer than the other boys his age. After requesting a hair cut one day, Pippin’s son became emotional after Mr. Hancock began to cut his hair. Some of the boys at his school had picked on him, which is why he wanted to get his hair cut.
It was then that Mr. Hancock taught the younger Pippin a lesson he would never forget:
Don’t ever let anyone make you feel bad for who you are.
“I will forever be grateful for the impact Westley had on our city,” Pippin said.
More than anything, Mr. Hancock loved his family.
His sister, Christy Hancock, never resented her older brother–even when she was referred to as “Wes’ little sister” when they were growing up together.
“In our teenage years, we had the same friends,” Christy Hancock said. “We would go to parties and gatherings together. He was always so much fun to be around.”
Christy Hancock said that she could always rely on her brother.
“He was always there for me and was just a phone call away,” Christy Hancock said.
Mr. Hancock also encouraged and motivated his two daughters, Sydney Stewart and Aubrey Hancock, to always do their best.
“He was so proud of our daughters,” Hancock said. “He fiercely loved his family.”
The Hancocks’ youngest daughter, Aubrey, is a gymnast. She is scheduled to compete at a national competition soon. When her family asked her if she still wanted to compete, she had a simple answer:
She was going to win for her dad.
Now, a GoFundMe account has been set up for the family for any unexpected costs that they will face in the future. So far, the community has donated over $19,500 to the family for their future needs.
Hancock is survived by his wife, Emily; daughters, Sydney Stewart and Aubrey Hancock; father, Alan Hancock; sisters, Christina Willis and Amy Hancock; and grandparents, Alma Louise Nichols and Bruce and Patricia Hancock.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
TO DONATE
GoFundMe: http://www.gofundme.com/x7r6pkg
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com