The hairdressing world lost a legend on Wednesday, July 19, 2017. Nino Genna passed away peacefully at his home just five days short of his 101st birthday.
As many of you know, Antonino Salon has been a Birmingham fixture since 1985, when Anthony Marsalese and his cousin Nadine Dmytryszyn opened the doors. But the salon’s history extends back to the talent and entrepreneurship of Nino Genna; Anthony’s uncle and Nadine’s father.
A hairdresser since 1937, Nino opened his first salon in Detroit in 1946 after returning from World War ll. The operation quickly grew into a successful business, which Nino promoted largely by entering and winning major national and international hairdressing competitions.
In 1960, Nino moved his enterprise to Birmingham, opening Nino Salon. During the following decade, Nino also founded Americoif of Detroit, an education based organization for local stylists.
In 1970 Nino moved his business to Somerset Mall, renaming it “Nino of Somerset”. Like many stylists who have launched successful careers working for Nino, Anthony became Nino’s assistant and eventually a stylist at the Somerset location. Nino and Anthony worked together there until 1985, when the salon was sold and Antonino Salon opened its doors on Townsend in downtown Birmingham.
Nino continued to work behind the chair until 2009, when at the age of 93, he finally retired.
Nino has moved on to a peaceful place, but the lives he has touched and the careers he has mentored are immeasurable. His kindness, gentle manner and many words of wisdom will live on forever.
Visitation for Nino Genna will be held on Saturday, July 22 and Sunday, July 23, 2017 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the A.J. Desmond Funeral Home in Royal Oak. The funeral will be on Monday, July 24, 2017 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s in Royal Oak
To view Nino’s full obituary or for more information, click here.