Michael Zibart, founder of BookPage and former executive at Ingram, died on Friday, September 5. He was 78.
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| Michael Zibart | |
His father, uncle, and grandfather owned and managed Zibart's Bookstores in Nashville, Tenn., for nearly a century. Through them and his mother, Joy Hughes, a dance instructor, choreographer, and dancer, Zibart grew up in a world filled with writers, book reps, musicians and artists, newspaper staff, professors, and politicians.
Shortly after graduating from Vanderbilt University, Zibart began working for Ingram Book Company, starting in the warehouse. He soon began wholesale buying and eventually headed the trade books department, rising to executive v-p. In 1988, he left Ingram to form BookPage, the monthly book review publication distributed through bookstores and libraries. He retired from BookPage in 2023.
As the family remembered, "Michael was kind, fun-loving, an extraordinary friend, and a devoted husband and father to his two daughters. He loved music, especially Al Green, the Band, Allen Toussaint and the Nevilles. He was equally at home in New York, on the lake at Center Hill, and at the beach in Charleston. He enjoyed travel, notably to New Orleans, Ireland, Scotland and England, France, Spain, and Italy, where he memorably celebrated his 50th birthday with parties in both Florence and Rome. Michael was in his element hosting friends and family at home, where he made sure no guest was left with an empty glass."
A Celebration of Life will be held in Nashville eventually. As a memorial and in lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Zibart Family Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee or the Nashville Public Library.