Artist leaves friends, legacy
by John Lamb
The Forum - 04/17/2008
John Bailey's signature green bowler hangs in the basement kitchen at Dempsey's Public House. The 47-year-old wore it as he worked his way through the Fargo bar, selling pizza.
It'll be a big hat to fill.
Bailey died in his Moorhead home Saturday, 11 days after being diagnosed with cancer.
"The guy was a sweetheart. A really good man," Dempsey's co-owner Bert Meyers said.
Harder than just weaving through crowds with trays of pizza. With more than just a taste for food, Bailey left his personal touch on the bar. Meyers recalls first seeing Bailey hanging around when the bar opened two years ago. It wasn't long before he approached Meyers about buying a painting of heavyweight greats Jack Dempsey and Gene Tunney boxing. The painting hangs on the north wall, just inside the door. Bailey's visits grew more frequent, not for money, but to work off the studio space he rented in the basement.
"He's on every damn wall," Meyers said. "He cut the signs, painted the signs, did all the chalkboards and did all of our framing."
Another of Bailey's pieces, a long, horizontal painting of a naked woman may see its way upstairs soon. Bailey last worked on it April 9, but was too weak and walked away after 10 minutes.
It was the last time the artist set foot in his home away from home. Modern Man and Bailey had been friends since the 1980s. When he heard that his friend died, the artist went down to the studio to look at the unfinished painting and the sketches of bar patrons.
"It was really sad. It made me cry," Modern Man said. "He was just such a kind-hearted soul. I never heard him say a negative thing about anyone."
That may not have been so easy for a recovering drug addict working long shifts in a blue collar bar. An obituary on the Wright Funeral Home website says Bailey was involved in Narcotics Anonymous for 27 years, designing and painting signs and as a sponsor for other members.
Still, working in the bar was never a problem as long as Bailey had his own drink of choice – coffee, and pots of it.
"He drank more coffee than any alcoholic drank whiskey," Meyers said, adding that come closing time, Bailey could be counted on to give the impaired safe a ride home.
But Bailey checked his compassion when it came to games. Meyers said his late employee would trounce all challengers in chess, had a regular spot at the black jack table and frustrated fellow poker players with his loose play.
When the group met on Monday, Bailey's presence was missed, a moment of silence was observed and many shots were poured.
There will be a visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, followed by a prayer service at Wright Funeral Home. A funeral service is at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Moorhead. At 7 p.m., there will be a remembrance celebration at Dempsey's. Pizza may be served, but it won't be the same.
Readers can reach Forum columnist John Lamb at (701) 241-5533 or jlamb@forumcom.com