I was devastated to learn that my friend John DeMarco who founded the Lyrical Ballad Bookstore has died after a long struggle with cancer.
John was one of the kindest and most thoughtful people I have ever known. The shop that he ran with his wife, Jan, was an important institution in Saratoga Springs. He supported just about every civic cause in this city. As noted in the Gazette Newspaper article about his death, his shop weathered the challenging changes in the landscape of the book business and the city. Much of this had to do with how well respected he was and to his dedication to his store and the world of books.
Born in Mechanicville, he started the store in 1971 shortly after he graduated from college. He was a great story teller and after more than forty years in the business he had many to tell.
My heart goes out to Jan
Saratoga Springs Politics 
Also devastated. John was a gentle, decent person with the unrelenting courage of his convictions. The community is diminished without him in it. Jan, my heartfelt sympathy.
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Much sadness for the loss of this friend, but some solace in knowing his battle with cancer is over. Truly an amazing person, his initial quirky quest to ‘save the book’, resulted in “Lyrical Ballad”, a world class antiquarian book seller emporium. I trust that his spirit will endure, whispering to patrons as they leave the bookstore, “Pull the door, it’s not locked”. My sympathies to Jan and all those left behind.
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A fine gentleman, and fair dealer!
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