Dominic Richard Nocera

Mr. Dominic R. 'Didy' Nocera, 87, passed away on Tuesday, August 14, 2007, in Amesbury, of complications from a lengthy illness resulting from Alzheimer’s disease. A Waltham native for 40 years, Didy spent his childhood living above what is now the Chateau Restaurant. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and fought on a destroyer in the Philippines. He came home to reside in Waltham and eventually moved his family to Weston, while also keeping homes in New Seabury on Cape Cod, Marco Island, Florida and Scottsdale, Arizona. Didy was the husband of the late Nina P. 'Lee' (Ferro)Nocera and brother of the late Louis Nocera, Martin Nocera, and Anna Coffin. Known professionally as Mr. Richard, he was a popular local hairdresser for over 50 years. He owned and operated a successful chain of hair salons in Waltham and Lexington throughout the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s until his retirement in 1990. He started his hairdressing career at Grover Cronin Beauty Parlor where a Mr. Dominic was already employed. He was required to use his middle name, Richard, which he kept his entire career. Mr. Richard opened his first salon over the Waltham Supermarket on the 2nd floor of the Drapkin Building. It was there that his outstanding artistic talent earned him a loyal clientele: many of them wives of prominent local lawyers, doctors and businessmen. In 1951, he opened Richard Beauty Salon, “Waltham’s outstanding beauty salon” in the Clarkson Building on Main Street. In 1956, he purchased the old Clam Box across the street from his salon and put up a building to house a futuristic state-of-the-art six-operator beauty salon. Two years later he announced, “I’m going into competition with myself,” as he and his wife, Miss Lee, opened Mademoiselle — a second salon within a stone’s throw of the first. Mademoiselle, located on Moody Street was revolutionary at the time. It invited people to just walk-in, offered budget prices, stayed opened until 11 o’clock every weekday night and employed an unprecedented 20 hairdressers who worked split shifts. In the 1960’s, Jackie Kennedy catapulted the hair scene into “High Style.” Mr. Richard capitalized on this evolution and opened Queens and Teens Waltham’s first High Style hair salon on the west side of upper Main Street. It was wildly popular thanks to Mr. Richard’s and Miss Lee’s ability to bring together one of the most talented teams of hairdressers in the history of Waltham salons: Miss Angie, Miss Arista, Miss Morella, Mr. Buddy, Miss Angela, Mr. Al, Miss Judy, Mr. Bob and others made this salon tops in Waltham for many years. But the 1960’s High Style gave way to the1970’s “Blow-Cuts” and again, moving with the times, Richard Beauty Salon was re-modeled and re-named Prime Cut Hair Salon with another location soon to follow in Lexington. Mr. Richard was the only hairdresser to own three salons in Waltham. When he wasn’t working, Didy was an avid golfer. He belonged to both New Seabury Country Club on the Cape and Nashawtuc Country Club in Sudbury. With his short-term memory starting to go, Didy moved back to Waltham where he could still vividly remember the streets of his youth. In 2004, he moved to Merrimack Place in Newburyport to live near his family. Didy loved flowers. Didy is survived by his children, Richard J. Nocera and his wife Jane of Newburyport, Paula Nocera Donovan of Methuen, Dr. Roger M. Nocera, M.D. of Paradise Valley, Arizona; one sister, Jeannie MacDonald of Waltham, seven grandchildren, Sean Donovan, Lisa Nocera, M.D. Richard D. Nocera, Josef R. Nocera, Michael Nocera, Stephanie Nocera, Meleesa Nocera, and one great-grand child, Bruno Katz and many nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte.20), Waltham on Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Monday at 11 a.m. in the Newton Cemetery Chapel, 791 Walnut Street Newton. Burial will follow in Newton Cemetery.