We just heard the sad news that Barry Hoberman, longtime bookseller at Wellesley Books, passed away suddenly on Friday, April 23rd. He would have turned 70 next month.
Wellesley Books announced Barry’s passing in their newsletter saying, “Beloved by staff and customers alike, Barry held court at our front register for over twenty years—he was proud of having been hired on the very first day the bookstore opened on Central Street in 1999. Considered by many the unofficial mayor of Wellesley, he took a genuine interest in those around him, warmly greeting customers (and their dogs) by name and recalling every detail of previous conversations. Barry was a gifted writer and a formidable scholar, possessing a deep knowledge of history, religion, baseball and music. He always relished the challenge of helping a customer track down some esoteric and often out-of-print treatise on one of his favorite subjects. We will miss his sense of humor, his affectionate banter, his freely-expressed opinions, his extraordinary intellect and his kind heart.”
Barry published a scholarly book, The Early Jews in China; the Origin of the Jewish Community of K’aifeng; articles on Middle Eastern and Central Asian history including one for Harvard Magazine on the origins of Good King Wenceslas of the Christmas carol fame; and poetry for Spitball, the Literary Baseball Magazine, and other publications.
He also was a huge baseball fan. As a kid growing up in Brooklyn he cheered for the Brooklyn Dodgers, and caught fireflies on summer evenings. To find out more about Barry the writer, the thinker, the intellectual, read his essay that appears in The Rumpus (the online publication’s tagline—”nothing says adulthood like a well-stocked refrigerator). In it, he reflects on how, “I’ve lived through more than one quarter of our country’s history.”
If you want to know who Barry was, read every word of that extraordinary, impeccably researched, and imminently readable piece. In it he covers religion, civil rights, feminism, sports, and world events in a tone that juxtaposes the serious with the frivolous. His well-reasoned and backed-up argument that he was not—repeat, not—older than rock ‘n roll is priceless.
Our deepest condolences to Barry’s family, friends, co-workers, and customers.
Donate in Barry’s name
Book Industry Charitable Foundation provides financial support to booksellers in need. Your donation in Barry’s name will go to bookstore and comic shop owners and employees with unforeseen emergency financial needs.
No word yet on services, but we will update this post as information becomes available.
I only knew Barry for a short time, but I could tell he was smart, driven, and extremely kind. I am so glad that I was able to have him in my life and I hope that he continues on in peace.
What an enormous loss to our community. Simply put, Barry was a part of our lives, and in our memory he will still be present at Wellesley Books, standing behind the counter, greeting us, helping us find whatever it was we needed with his signature interest and kindness. Always wondered if Barry was related to our family because we had a Hoberman branch – but we never figured it out. Wonderful to read others’ warm remembrances. May Barry’s memory always be a blessing.
I’ve had the pleasure of calling Barry my friend for over thirty years. So funny, so wise, so smart. A heartbreaking loss, but it’s comforting to read how many other people loved him too.
Ty for ur post. Barry will be missed. He was an amazing uncle and great uncle.
I’m so sad to hear of Barry’s passing and will miss him terribly. I always enjoyed chatting with Barry about books, current events, family, really anything! The fact that he always knew customers names really blew me away–that takes a lot of effort and thoughtfulness. What a smart, nice and real person.
I worked at Wellesley Booksmith when I was a teenager, some twenty years ago now, and Barry was such a lovely positive force in my life. Not only did I get to learn his bookseller wizardry but I had fabulous, smart, slightly sarcastic company while doing so. I think of Barry often and I will miss him greatly. I work in book publishing now and have Barry partly to thank. I also know he will be missed by all those whose lives he touched.
I met Barry my freshman year at Duke. We became great friends and bonded over our mutual love of arcane baseball stats, bandit NCAA basketball teams in the 60’s and 70’s and all things rock and roll. Barry loved a great pun, a clever joke and and excellent writing. We stayed in touch over the years….sometimes closely but other times a bit more sporadically. However, when we did reconnect it was as if we had talked daily.
I will miss our email exchanges, and our clever (at least to us) repartee when we did see one another. But most of all, I will miss my dear, dear friend. Rest In Peace, Hobes.
Like others, I always felt known and seen by Barry. I was very sad to read of his death. – These wonderful tributes to him make me think, “Who should I be telling, while they are alive to hear it, how highly I think of them?” Let’s honor Barry by telling those important people in our lives just how important they are!
You will be so missed Barry! A wonderful, kind, smart, witty and amazing person and I am grateful and fortunate to have known him. So saddened by this news. Sending comfort and strength to his family and friends.
Always an hello by name whether in the store or on the street. I can’t imagine him not at the store. Truly saddened.🙏🏻
I’ve loved browsing alongside, and buying books from Barry for many years. The fabric of a community is stitched together by quiet leaders like Barry who’s importance is sometimes hard too see until it’s missed. My condolences to his family and everyone else out there who have cherished the bookstore and Barry.
Walking in to the bookstore and hearing my name and a happy hello meant everything to me. Barry was a gentle soul and I loved hearing him talk about a certain book he loved and I would often buy what he suggested! He loved talking baseball, whiskey, and poetry! He had such a kind way about him and such a kind face!
I miss him so much already !
Be at peace my friend! You were loved by many!
Linda O’Connell❤️
I am so sorry to hear this news. For the first time in a year, I came into the bookstore a week or so ago just to browse, and the first question I asked was where Barry was. His reliable greeting and thoughtful efforts to find the book I needed or to lead me to a better book led me to visit as often as I could. I realize that many others have also seen him as a special friend over the years, but I will truly miss him.
Barry Hoberman (or Hobie as we called him) was my best friend in my most formative four years at Duke University. Although we did drift apart after graduation, I’m glad we were able to reconnect twice in recent years when I had business trips to Boston. Hobie was probably the most intelligent, wise , learned man I’ve ever met. He had an unbelievable dry wit and sense of humor. I have too many memories of our time together to print here, but I feel a great hole in my heart. Rest in peace my friend–your pain is over.
Thank you. His niece Cindy
Barry’s kindness, thoughtfulness, humor, brilliance, and big heart made Wellesley Books a warm and welcoming place to be. He always lavished attention on my hound, Tucker, and though he sternly restricted the self-serve treat option, he often gave up his attempts to enforce a one treat per visit rule. His caring for my dog and for me cheered me each time. I enjoyed learning about his varied interests and respected his deep knowledge. It was wonderful to see his pride in his published work and to celebrate that and talk about books and writing. Barry was an integral and unforgettable part of the bookstore. I will miss him so.
Barry, we love and miss you very much. We have always enjoyed your time spent at Wellesley Bakery in the early morning before the bookstore opens.. I enjoyed sitting and talking to you. I have always asked Rebecca about you.
We will miss dearly 😘
You are such a wonderful human being. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽😢
Thank you for this article and for setting up the charitable donation in his name. That’s what he would have wanted. He loved the bookstore and the customers. He was a great man and a great uncle. The bookstore employees were his 2nd family. Thank you for everything. It means a lot to the family.
Cindy.
I am so very sorry to hear of Barry’s passing – what a loss for our favorite bookstore and for the community. We will miss his presence, his assistance, his wit and his stories.
Oh, I’m so sad. To walk into the store and be addressed by name was a huge gift!! I will miss him and our many discussions about religion, his favorite subject. Rest In Peace, friend.
Barry has been a close friend since 1980. I always felt fortunate to be among his legion of friends in his various worlds. We was brilliant, hilarious, erudite, humble, genuine, and most of all, kind. We all miss him so much. It is a comfort to read your comments here and know that he touched you as he did others in his other worlds.
Tim he spoke fondly of you. I’m sorry for your loss too
What a sad and profound loss to his family and our community.
He was a remarkable person; scholar and kind-hearted would person who was cherished in our community.
I’m so sorry to hear this news! Barry was an integral part of Wellesley Books, and the store won’t be the same without him.
Barry did me a great kindness many years ago, which I shall never forget. My cat was ill, and I asked Barry if Wellesley Books (then Booksmith) would consider featuring her as “cat of the week,” in place of the usual “dog of the week” spot in their newsletter. Barry worked his magic behind the scenes to make that happen. “Zoe Kat” appeared as Wellesley Books first ever “cat of the week” – coincidentally on my birthday. It was the best birthday present, as she died some months later.
LOVE THIS STORY!!! TY
Barry will be missed! May he Rest In Peace.
A kind funny special person- made the bookstore a place to spend some time and wish. Rest In Peace – you are indelible..
A wonderful bookstore buddy. Brains, courage, and a huge heart. I will miss you, my friend.
We had just moved to Wellesley in 2004 and had been given a gift card to the store. One of my favorite places to visit for the next 9 years that we lived there. And I still remember how kind Barry was.
Barry was the absolute best! Always a funny comment, great at finding the book I wanted even when I somewhat, kind of knew the title. He truly was a mensch!