Long-time Bay Area bookseller Nick Setka, past president of the Northern California Independent Booksellers Association and former member of the board, died on August 26. He was 65.
Setka, who was manager of Book Passage in Corte Madera and San Francisco, Calif., began his career at the University of California Press. He spent the past four decades in bookselling, first at Cody’s Books and then at Black Oak Books in Berkeley. Last year he was a recipient of a James Patterson holiday bonus.
Elaine Petrocelli, co-owner of Book Passage, called Setka a "true" bookseller. "He knew the books, and he loved the customers," she said.
In a letter to staff, Petrocelli referred to Setka as "our kind, brilliant, funny, and beloved colleague." She continued: "I will picture the way his whole face lit up when customers came in to chat with him and to thank him for recommending the perfect book.”
Setka’s wife, Joan, is holding a celebration of his life, in the form of a tailgate party, on his birthday, September 11. It will take place in the parking lot of the stadium of his favorite team, the Oakland A’s, from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Donations in Setka’s honor can be made to the Sierra Club.
Updated edition: This story was updated to include Setka's age.
