We appreciate your continued support of Rory’s
family, friends, and Comic Relief. Please use the
comment form below as a guest book for your
visit to the site.
If you have a story or memory of Rory you would
like to share please visit the ‘Memories’ page and
post it there.
NOTE:
Please use this space to remember the man and
not speculate or start rumors regarding the shop,
we are open and will remain open - That’s the way
Rory would have wanted it.
-JL-
For those who read it, forgive me for repeating what I wrote on the CBIA forum. It’s the best I can do to express what’s in my heart.
Rory Root was such an open-minded retailer and generous man that he carried my own mini-comics in 1980, one of about three or four stores to do so. From the high-browed classic to the most absurdly experimental, he loved comics. And they loved him back.
Oh, how lucky were we to have had him as a colleague, how graced to have known him as a friend.
I’ll miss the gigantic hugs and so much more.
Patty
xxx
BTW, there is a tribute at http://www.prismcomics.com, lauding Rory’s commitment to diversity and the help he gave to us in sharing his ideas on getting more LGBT comics and customers into stores. Yeah, typical Rory.
Working for Rory at times was trying. But to this day I don’t know that I know of anyone else who always had a smile and a handshake waiting for me. I do call him friend and he will be missed.
Rory was a part of my life as a comic fan from my trips to BoTW with my friends nearly 25 years ago as a teenager , my life as a young working stiff at a job that holds memories both good and bad, and my life as a father, as I have brought my son Milo into the store on several occasions, starting the cycle over again. Rory always beamed when I came in with the ‘lil guy, and I always figured that some day he’d be handing my son stacks of comics that he was sure Milo would like just like he did with so many other people over the years, myself included.
It was never the easiest job to work for Rory, but I count myself extremely lucky to be part of the Comic Relief family and will miss him terribly.
I still can’t believe that the last time I saw Rory is the last time I’ll ever see him. Rory was just one of those constants I came to take for granted. There was always a broad summer teeth smile and a kind word. He was a great guy, with a big heart full of love for his patrons, artists, friends and The Art. This is a bigger loss than I can put into words.
Rory, you are the man. I hope to see you in the Next Life. We’ll drink Johnny Walker and talk about whatever you want however long you want. I’ll have to get in line, but thats cool.
All the best, my friend
Fredo
It’s been touching to read all the tributes to Rory that have been posted here and elsewhere on the web. The adjective “legendary” has been used more than a few times, and it’s hard for me to think in those terms — he’s been such a familiar presence in my life for so long. I’ve walked with a legend? How can that be? Omnipresent, certainly — you couldn’t walk into a convention, a trade show or a retailer meeting without seeing him and having the benefit of his kind counsel. Omniscient, very nearly — at least when it came to our specialized field, there was very little Rory didn’t know. But legendary? He was all too real, all too accessible to become the stuff of legend, wasn’t he? They say familiarity breeds contempt…but it seems that Rory was the exception to that rule. Everybody knew Rory, from the publisher of the largest comics sompany to the youngest potential fan clutching a handful of giveaway books on Free Comic Book Day. Even those who competed with him directly had a deep respect and genuine fondness for this giant of a man. I hope he knew while he was still here how sincerely admired he was by so many. The man is gone but the legend lives on.
bright blessings, rory.
i don’t remember when or how we met — it seems like you were always there, one of the people i cherished in the bay area whether i could get to see them or not.
it’s been far too many years now since i have been to berkeley, and even longer since passover at kathleen’s, but i still remember you and your warm hugs and huge heart very clearly, and still think of comic relief as the ideal store.
my deepest condolences to all rory’s loved ones.
chris starfire
Berkeley, Beautiful Berkeley, lost a sequin from her dress.
You were the best, Rory!
Even though I think Berkeley is an ugly dirty city I still made the trip to ‘Dirty Berkeley’ just to chat with Rory and pick up a box of comics,now I think I’ll just buy on-line.
Good-Bye Rory,I’ll miss you!
So long Berkeley,you smelly thing you!
With all the lousy and mean-spirted comic shop staff out there Rory was a breath of fresh air.I recall returning from San Diego in 1999 and having the rudest person “help” me at a dingy comic shop on El Cajon Blvd (SD COMIX) on the monday after COMIC-CON,I told Rory about this sad little man named Greg & how he seemed to only love money & not the art form,Rory just smiled and said,”Well,we’ll always be here.” and I guess as long as Comic Relief stays open,so will Rory’s spirt.
I only even talked to Rory on Free Comic Book day, where I was in a long line behind moms, kids, and new readers. Just as Shawn wrote, Rory was intensely sweet toward each person, helping them choose their new favorite books. I feel very sad. He’ll be missed.
My reintroduction to comics wouldn’t have been possible without Comic Relief. So many peers esteemed the shop. I have held out on buying online out of sheer respect for the shop, Rory, and the staff.
Oh, Rory…
I’ve been crying since Tuesday morning, when I got the news. Still can’t really write anything, I’m too broken apart.
Tried listening to the podcast Dylan posted on the Memories page, just to be able to hear Rory’s voice again — and got to the part where he remembered I gave him my Cerebus #3 before leaving Berkeley. Couldn’t listen to any more after that.
Rory adopted me when I moved to the U.S., 27 years ago, and he stayed my friend, through time and distance. I was blessed.
Thank you, whoever posted that black-and-white photo on the Home page. That’s the Rory I first met and will always remember.
xo
Diana Schutz
We are all numbed and saddened, for all old times and for the time we thought we had to come, since we became neighbors. Rory, you were one of a kind, and as essential and provocative and necessary in the book world as anyone. We’re thinking of you, your family and all of your friends.
Diana, that photo and all website work is being graciously done by Jonathan La Mantia. He’s doing a fantastic job!! He just needs to start getting some sleep!!! That photo of Rory is my favorite one of him; taken in 1992 at Thanksgiving time at my old house/yard in Stockton it actually has me and my 3 remaining brothers in it. Hey, I found Rory’s old school stuff and I put an 8th grade photo of him in the window at Comic Relief I have other photos and plan to give them to Jonathan possibly on Sunday, as today is go visit MOM day. My thoughts are also with each and every one of you as we all deal with the loss of Rory. ‘May he rest in peace’ my love to all, Karen
I never personally knew Rory but I am a frequent customer to the store. Really only had a couple of encounters with him but he was always really nice and helpful and seemed like a truly genuine person. I wish I had the chance to know him like others. I wish his family and friends the very best.
Without doubt Rory was more than just a retailer to me. I knew him personally. At his home, eating off his table, playing poker, watching TV, petting his cat, hanging out with his one-time roommate Greg Espinoza, and marveling at his collection of books in his house that went from floor to ceiling. A true bibliophile if ever there was one. I knew him and the circle around him. He was ever gracious and ever thoughtful.
His health, as Joe Field noted, was a ticking time bomb, but I always assumed it would merely hold him from working at the store - which his days were already cut down. I just thought (despite the health issues) that he’d just keep going. And for him to go so suddenly just crashed me. I didn’t even get to visit him, or say goodbye. That hurt.
So, I raise a glass to you Rory. Whiskey, of course. And as Brian Uhlenbrock noted, your legend will live on.
Dear Rory,
When I first moved to Berkeley 10 years ago it was a daunting and stressful time in my life (college). Comic Relief, your creation, was a place to meet creatures of like mind and revive an interest in comics that I thought was long dead. I still read comics to this day and I know that were it not for your vision and attention - I would not really be all that invested. I’ve discovered Mike Carey’s Lucifer, Grant Morrison’s New X-Men, and John Jackson Miller’s Knights of the Old Republic at your store. Thank you for all the good and light that your contributions to this world have brought into my life. Cheers!
I never knew you, and I’ve never been to your store, but you sound like a good man. Rest in Peace.
Mr Root,
you sound like an awsome dude and I am sorry that I have never dropped into your store for I live many many miles away…R.I.P
I am so sorry to hear about Rory. Back in my Locus-employed, convention-attending, comic-book-collecting days, I used to frequent Comic Relief with my boyfriend, Tim. Talking to Rory and Michael was always an important part of these visits, and a factor in our settling in as new residents of the Bay Area.
Another light has gone out.
Thanks, Rory, for giving me my best job when I was in college, even though I couldn’t have named 10 comics when you hired me! Even 10 years later, you still remembered my face when I came into the store! Whenever I had a question I always knew you would have the best answer. You even sent me to another store one time when you didn’t have the exact book that you had recommended to me. Thanks, Rory, for having a kind heart and offering me the life-long gift of loving comic books.
Rory was one of my younger cousins and it is heart-warming to know how much he was loved and respected. My husband and I recently visited Aunt Nancy, his mother, as well as Ron and Karen while vacationing in California, our home state. We are saddened by the loss of such a wonderful person who touched so many lives in a positive way and will certainly pray for the family. Love and Blessings, Carol and Chuck
Rory’s gone? So soon? Oh damnit. The world needs more people like Rory, not fewer. He was smart, funny, and a friend to all. We should all be more like him. My heart goes out to his family and dearest friends.
Oh Rory!
Thank you for that big goofy smile 15 years ago(!) that welcomed me into Comic Relief and at every con & store visit there after. Thank you for supporting all the creative types that came through your door with their first comics and zines to sell or even hiring some of them to work for you. But mostly thank you for loving comics so unabashedly and sharing the good stuff with the rest of us…
I was a friend of Rory. Though we didn’t see each other for 40 years I was his friend at Rockridge Elementary. It is so wonderful and it fills my heart to see the community of love that surrounded him. He will leave a large void.
I remember Rory from when I was a kid dropping my allowance on comics at Best of Two Worlds, but I didn’t get to know him until later in the eighties, when I started playing in a semi-regular football game at Arlington Park in El Cerrito, in which he also sometimes played. Wise (and a wise-ass), funny, smart, generous. I’m so sorry he’s gone and I wish him peace.
I found out about Rory’s passing in the oddest way. I was sitting in my doctors office wearing a Green Lantern T-shirt. My doctor noticed the shirt and complimented me on it. Somehow the discussion drifted into comics and he mentioned that an ex-patient of his who owned comic book store had just passed away. It didn’t take long for me to figure out who he meant.
I was shocked.
Years ago I went to comic relief on a regular basis when I lived in El Cerrito. I’ll always remember Rory as being very friendly and alway willing to chat about comics. While I’m not a close friend or even an acquaintance, I was a loyal customer for years. I’m sorry for his passing and for the loss that his friends and family must feel.
Rory always made me feel special and always took the time to say hello. I was always convinced he wouldn’t remember me, and he always did. I’ll miss seeing him in Berkeley and at Comic-Con. My thoughts and prayers are with him, his friends and family.
-Kumari
I met Rory many, many years ago. He was always the go to guy to get you what ever you needed in comics and graphic novels, from the mainstream to the totally out of the main.
It was a pleasure seeing him every year at WonderCon and at Comic-Con. He always had a kind word, would take the time to talk to you, and wanted you to have a great experience.
Rory, you will be missed.
A customer at his terrific store, I met Rory long ago but seldom took the time to talk to him beyond salutations and the occasional, whadaya recommend? My loss, I know, I know. My impression of him was as a man at peace with his own imperfect road, a valuable wisdom. I owe him, too. He built Comic Relief and something there has drawn me back after each occasional vow to grow up and give up this comics stuff. It never took: and for that I thank you Rory Root.
I first met Rory over 30 years ago, through a mutual friend, Ted Shannon, while I was at Cal. I’d lost touch with both of them over the years, but Rory’d made a real impression on me: a very positive one. I’d often wondered what road he followed, so it’s good to know where he went. It’s sad that he was so close, all these years, but I just don’t get up to Berkeley that often from the South Bay. If only I’d wandered into his shop, I know I’d have recognized him. He was unforgettable.
Right now I’m at a loss to find the words to express how sadden I am by Rory’s passing. Though I have not seen him in nearly 8 years, he will always been the embodiment of the comic world. He was my boss for a year and not a time goes by when I open a comic or watch the Simpsons that I don’t think about him.
It is truly a loss for all those future kids who stumble into Comic Relief with a glazed look upon their eyes, not knowing where to begin and having Rory aim them in the right direction.
His heart was as big as his appetite and he will truly be missed.
Getting ready for San Diego, as we’re doing now, brings back hundreds of memories, and also makes me realize how extremely well organized Rory was in some ways, despite the fact that he sometimes appeared not to be. He had it all in his head.
The most important thing now for everyone associated with him ought to be to keep the store going.
I only heard about Rory’s passing a few days ago.
It’s hard to believe - he’s been such a fixture in Berkeley for so long - I can’t even remember when I first met him.
My condolences to family and friend - he will be sorely missed
Poo.
I found out about Rory’s passing during a web surfing expedition to find the old Swanson’s Chicken A La King … don’t asked me how I got the news… it was just click click click click click click … DAMN.
I left the Berkeley area in 2001 and worked in the tower on the corner of the shop’s block. I came buy for many a lunch cruise of the new comics and wonderful toys. Rory and I used to laugh about our health problems, shrug and get on with it. He was always up - or at least I only saw him down a couple of times, and it was always about health issues.
We shared the fat guy with glasses and long hair persona (I had to cut mine for work), and he was always up on the latest news and always pushing local talent with micro-comics and small publishers and obscure titles I only found at Comic Relief.
Again … poo. He was one of the few people I really wanted to see if I got back to the Bay Area and now that won’t happen. It’s my loss … he was a mench.