Cecil “Sonny” Breeden, Jr. may have passed, but his legacy will live on forever thanks to a new sign being placed on Madison Road.
Last year, Breeden, known to many as the “waving barber” and “mayor of Madison Road” was killed in a pedestrian accident as he was crossing U.S. 15 between Reynolds Subaru and his barber shop. A lifelong resident of Orange, Breeden opened his Madison Road Barber Shop April 13, 1976. He began cutting hair in 1965, but suffered a traumatic brain injury in 1974 as the result of a horse fracturing his skull. He relearned how to walk, talk and of course, cut hair. In 2016, he celebrated 40 years in business and was set to celebrate 50 years in April.
According to the Orange County Chamber of Commerce, Breeden was the longest-running, self-employed businessman in the town.
Perhaps more than being a barber, Breeden was known as the unofficial mayor and greeter of Orange. When not tending to his clients, he would sit in front of his shop, waving to passersby. Now, that image of him waving will remain, memorialized in a new metal sign that will hang on the pole in front of the building where his shop was located.
The sign was unveiled Wednesday evening at Reynolds. It was created through a partnership between the dealership and the Arts Center In Orange. Arts Center Board Vice President Buzz Van Santvoord said he was contacted by Bryce Matthews who handles the events at the dealership with the idea of creating something for Breeden. The sign was made by blowing up a photo and placing it on metal. Several of the center’s volunteers and former employees helped in the creation. It’s made to weather the elements and is expected to last 20-25 years. Van Santvoord said it’s nice that Breeden will be memorialized near where he was usually seen waving.
Reynolds owner Kevin Reynolds, Sr. shared stories at the unveiling about his lifelong friend Breeden. They first met in Methodist Sunday School. Reynolds said Breeden was mischievous, often shooting the teacher with his sling shot. As teenagers, the two would double date with Breeden being the ladies’ man. Breeden often rode in the passenger seat of Reynolds’ old cars and was a joke teller.
“I always admired Sonny,” Reynolds said. “He didn’t let his physical handicap hold him back. Sonny had heart, a lot more heart than most people. He cared about people. He had a total acceptance of all people. He loved Orange. He wanted the best for Orange.
“We miss Sonny, we miss him a lot,” Reynolds added. “He did so much good. He was one of the finest men I ever knew.”
Numerous friends and family members attended the unveiling of the sign. It will be installed on Madison Road sometime in the upcoming weeks.
