In 50 years, the town of Milton, Ont., has seen plenty of change, but one constant throughout that time was Mike's Barber Shop.

Its owner Mike Boughton recently sold the business due to health reasons — but ​the 71-year-old isn't quite ready to give up the dream that started for him in 1965.

"My boss at the time asked me, 'Mike, would you consider becoming a barber?' because he wanted to expand," Boughton tells CBC Toronto.

"I went home and talked to my father and he said, 'You'll never beat having a trade, Mike,' so I decided to take up the barbering trade," he adds. "I went to school in 1965 for 10 months ... and here I am today, 51 years later."

Boughton says he is on his fifth generation of families, and estimates he has about 75 families who frequent his shop. He puts that down to providing a good service and going above and beyond for his customers. (CBC)

Boughton plans to continue cutting hair three days a week because he loves interacting with his regulars and clients.

"I just love the people," he says, noting his best customer is an 18-month-old toddler. "I would say 95 per cent of all the people that come in, they become a friend of mine, and I've just enjoyed it immensely."

Mike Boughton has worked as a barber for over 50 years, listening as he snips away, even visiting clients for a cut if they're sick. Due to health issues, he's sold the shop to a new owner. 2:41

'A haircut always makes a person feel better'

Boughton says he is on his fifth generation of families, and estimates he has about 75 families who frequent his shop. He puts that down to providing a good service and going above and beyond for his customers.

"If a client is sick at home or in hospital, I'll go and cut their hair because a haircut always makes a person feel better," he says. "They always want to pay me but I say, 'No the haircut is on me.'"

On top of that, Boughton, who's also a local councillor, started a charity golf tournament after three of his clients died of cancer in the 90s. To date, it has raised over $1 million.

"This community has the deepest pockets and the biggest hearts," Boughton says.

Boughton will continue to work part-time at the shop, which will be renamed 'Joseph and Mike's Barber Shop.' (CBC)

'We'll beat it and that's all there is to it'

But now, Boughton has health issues of his own and plans to "step down a little bit."

"I've got a few health issues, I really don't want to get into it, but by the same token, we'll beat it and that's all there is to it," he says.

"Because you just look out at the street and there's always a person worse off than yourself, and that's how it works."

Boughton thinks Joseph Pedulla, left, is 'the man to take over' his business. (CBC)

Employee Joseph Pedulla will now try to fill Boughton's considerable boots, and the former believes "he's the man to take over."

"He has a great personality, he's eager and he does a good job," he says of Pedulla. "I'm very proud to have sold it to him, I really am."

"Thank you very much, Mike," Pedulla calls from the back of the barbershop.

Pedulla will be making a few renovations to the place, and with a new era, he'll be introducing a new name. In the near future, a sign for 'Joseph and Mike's Barber Shop' will be revealed on Milton's Main Street.

For now, much is the same, and after he finishes talking with a visitor, Boughton goes back to cutting hair.

Just like he's always done since 1965.