Len Riggio: A Champion in Books
1941 -2024
It would be hard for me to explain the impact that Len Riggio has had on my life. He was one of my favorite people, and when he saw me coming, he’d say, “Adriana, stop hounding me, I am not going to write a book.” Then he’d turn to his beloved wife, Louise, and say, “What are you girls cooking up?” We wanted the world to know how this brilliant man, a father, husband, shape shifter and brilliant businessman, had changed the world of books with his community based Barnes & Noble bookstores nation wide. I had it in my head that Len’s life, his life story, was one every reader could relate to because it required intelligence, ambition, blind faith and heart in the telling. It begins with his mother, Lena, an avid reader. She was also a seamstress. My grandparents shared a similar Italian American family story of determination, hard work and tenacity.
Len and Louise invited us to wonderful events. He invited me to host evenings where he was being honored. He asked me to write about his life. (You can read his story below, one I was proud to write.)
This Italian American would never be invited to host the Poets and Writers Gala, it is very fancy, but when they honored Len in 2013, he made me part of the package. I loved that evening because it celebrated Len’s contributions to literacy, books and reading. If we spent the next twenty years digging, we would find how deep the roots of his philanthropy went- and never hit bottom. He contributed generously and silently, with zeal and passion, making the world better for all of us. Whenever I wrote a book, he would celebrate the achievement as though it were a debut. He literally threw a parade when the Columbus Citizens Foundation made him the grand marshal of the annual Columbus Day celebration in 2017. Every Italian American author who could make it, and there were hundreds of revelers, marched up Fifth Avenue to celebrate Len. Even then, he could not make the day about himself, he wanted to honor the American dream and the readers who seek to realize it. He never forgot his Italian American upbringing, and sought ways to celebrate the home where Jimi, Steven and he were raised.
Along the parade route, Len and the team from Barnes & Noble, handed out copies of the Constitution. Thousands of copies were given away that day. Len believed in America, he was the beneficiary of the hard work of his ancestors, and he wanted every American to know the breadth and possibilities of their dreams. He knew words mattered, including those written in the Constitution. He devoted his life to putting great books in the hands of readers, knowing that the written word has the power to change us, to provide jet fuel to our own aspirations.
I will miss him. A keen mind, an idea factory, a visionary, a relentless seeker of truth, a loving and kind man, he was all those things. A boy from Bensonhurst in Brooklyn, Len Riggio had the most important characteristic that any artful person needs: Len had great taste. Whether it was fine art, music, books, food, wine or the cover art of a new novel, Len was never a snob- he loved beauty, and in it, he found truth. While the angels sing this great soul back into the arms of God, our hearts are broken. I can hear Len saying, “Okay, ladies, enough. Get on with it. There’s work to do.”
Donations in Len’s memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
FROM THE TESTIMONIAL OF THE GODARD COMMUNITY CENTER GALA
About our friend, Len Riggio
Our friend Len Riggio hates these shindigs. Hoopla and awards embarrass him, but he's a practical man, so he knows that he has to listen to Louise and show up when he is honored, and be gracious, though, if it were up to him, we would all be home in our sweatpants. He'd rather have the spotlight on the good works of Goddard Riverside Community Center, or be focused on a new venture, a new idea, or a new invention- something forward thinking, something that might benefit more folks rather than less. But tonight Len, this isn't to be. You have to suck it up and take in the love under the glare of the spotlight because you have earned our gratitude and admiration, and we need to let you know how we feel.
They say that you know a man best through his children- and if this is the case, and I believe it to be true, I first met Len through his daughters. I met Lisa and Donna years ago on Long Island. They are smart, funny, beautiful and a joy to be around. They told me that their grandma Lena (Len's mom) loved to read, and as a beautiful seamstress loved stories about the women she knew growing up, so we bonded over books and stories of our grandmas. Shortly thereafter, I met Stephanie who was also beautiful and creative and smart. Long before I met Len, I already thought the world of him.
Len was and will forever be, surrounded by strong women at home and at work. Louise brings out the best in everybody, and so it goes with Len. You wouldn't expect a titan of industry to lead with love, but Len leads with love- and that particular life lesson began in the Riggio home, around the table. Born in Little Italy, and growing up in Bensonhurst, he was surrounded by an extended family of characters, affectionate, wise, flawed, hilarious and deeply human, who happen to have been, in this great and diverse city, Italian. He shares this upbringing with his beloved brothers Jimi and Steve.
With an artful mother and a taxi cab driver dad, it would stand to reason that Len would somehow combine those disciplines to merge art and commerce and become the great leader of Barnes & Noble Booksellers. Len not only remembers where he came from but celebrates it. (While his daughters and Louise surround him, the boys are coming on strong in the next generation. Len is proud grandfather to three boys, Stephen, Anthony and Joseph, and uncle to Jake, Jimi and Joann’s son.)
Steve worked with Len for years. Steve’s wife, Laura, and their beautiful daughters, Laura, Christina and Melissa are treasured by Len. When Melissa passed away in 2008, Len lost his dear niece and mother in the same year. These losses were heartbreaking, but the family let their grief fuel their commitment to help others. Melissa was and is the angel of the Riggio family. She was a creative, musical, poetic young woman who happened to have Down Syndrome- she also happened to be the dazzling sun at the center of the family.
It would be impossible to list the individuals, families, organizations, schools, and charities and Len has helped, but we know in a broad sweep that he focuses on the development of the hearts and minds of children, their well being, health and shelter, to the highest calling of the soul, through art- and its accessibility to all regardless of their means. He sells books after all, books. The written word brings knowledge, entertainment, history, ideas, stories… in a word, books provide connection. Whenever you visit a Barnes & Noble, you can sit, have a cup of coffee, read or meet friends. Len has not gone that far afield from that kitchen table in Brooklyn where stories were told and life was shared.
While Len rolls his eyes at the pugilistic rep of the scrappy, Italian street kid, (it makes good copy but it doesn't accurately describe Len) I observe that in thought and deed, both publicly and privately, this is a man who leads with instinct, intelligence and compassion. He has succeeded in business but he has also succeeded in sharing his gifts, spreading the luck, giving without censure, and in so doing, has elevated the human spirit and alleviated suffering wherever he could by any means he could. He is dogged about the things he believes, while he is a supporter of free enterprise. He also fights for the disadvantaged, disenfranchised, homeless, the person down on his or her luck, who, needs a hand, or encouragement or a place to stay. Len’s private mission, often on a public stage, has a ripple effect that will last for generations to come.
Len has made a difference, and he is far from done.
Sister Bernie Kenney, a very wise nun, told me that someday, when we move on to the next realm and leave this world behind, our spirits are not labeled by our names, jobs, honors or affiliations, shortcomings and failings, illnesses and afflictions, instead, we become light. Well, we don’t have to wait for the afterlife Len, because you’re a light in this weary world. You have lit up the dark corners of suffering wherever you could, illuminated ideas, reveled in art, loved your wife and family, encouraged your friends and fought for some old fashioned ideals that never go out of style.
May God give you many, many years of health and happiness in the years ahead, and double for those you love, (because that's what you would want). And, on a night like this, we should all try to give you something you want. In the meantime, we are all grateful to the good folks at Goddard Riverside for the opportunity to make a fuss, if only to let you know what you mean to us, and how grateful we are to know and love you. Now go home and put on your sweatpants.
I have to say Len Riggo made a HUGE impact on my life as a B&N CRM and Store Support employee. He didn't know me personally - but the friends I made at B&N are still some of the best folks in the world. In the Home Office at B&N he was always a prescence - the artwork on the higher floors and in the entryway to those offices - Bill Clinton walking into the building thru the mailroom (and all of the employees - staking out a spot to see him - while I tried to walk into the mailroom at the WRONG time - hello Secret Service) - he will be missed for sure. What a lovely tribute to him and his family Adri.
Excellent! On every level.