Westley Hancock, 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 Barber’s death was most likely caused by an electrocution that occurred while he was replacing a ceiling fan.
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. 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.
He joked that he was going to make her the best barber in town.
“He was one of a kind,” Emily Hancock said. “He was full of life.”
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, 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 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-0ld 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 Hancock have such a lasting impact on members of the community.
“When you care, you have to remember and show it,” Julie Hasting said.
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, 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.”
More than anything, Hancock loved his family.
He 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.
TO DONATE
GoFundMe: http://www.gofundme.com/x7r6pkg
Contact Emily Topper at etopper@plantcityobserver.com