Angelo Defazio
My name is Angelo DeFazio, and I considered Kenneth Carlos Bailey a good friend.
I work at the Tacoma Public Library at the 6th Ave Branch. My co-workers & I have for years treasured and looked forward to Mr. Bailey's (mostly) weekly visits. Please forgive the (Mr. Bailey) formality. I understand it may seem 'out of place' in this memorial, but that is how we knew him. A formal name, a person of good humor, a welcome addition to our workday, and an all-around swell guy.
He would arrive with his stack of returning movies, and the list of his next ones to order. The list was on a well-worn series of small sheets of paper, hastily written in an orderly fashion albeit in a script he had trouble decoding (though he was the one who wrote it!). Fortunately, I was often able to discern what was written there, only occasionally having to discuss it with my compatriots and come to an agreement.
He had a wide-ranging interest in tv and films, and I was fortunate enough to successfully recommend some titles to him that he came to appreciate. I even occasionally loaned him items from my personal collection if the library did not own them, or my recommendation was exuberant enough.
We only discovered this page this past weekend, so please pardon the delay. We had not seen Mr. Bailey for some time and were unaware of how he was doing. We were concerned, but also unable to find the information we needed within the limitations we are subject to.
He was always cheerful and kind. Spoke well of his children and his grandchildren. After visiting them he would speak glowingly of the time he spent with them and was always looking forward to the next visit.
He was a presence in our lives here at the library and we will miss him greatly. It would have been wonderful to meet with his family and friends at the memorial and share how much he meant to us all.
It was a pleasure to meet and know him. He will always hold a special place in our hearts. One thing I can say with certainty is that any loss we may feel and any tears we have shed hearing of his passing, these pale in comparison to the pain his family and close friends must be experiencing.
We here at the library welcomed him, appreciated him, and miss him very much. Our lives were enriched by knowing him and he is remembered fondly and well.
Our best to all of you.
Angelo DeFazio