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Wesley Vincent's bookstore reflects a quiet, unconventional man with a broad interest in culture, history and spirituality, friends and family say.

Blue Eagle Book Shoppe, filled with world literature, medieval cloaks, tarot cards, Egyptian artifacts and cookbooks, is like a collage of Vincent's life, said Mitch Rubin, his lifelong partner and co-owner of the bookstore.

"He had a wide range of interests," Rubin said. "He was adamantly opposed to conventionality."

Vincent, owner of Blue Eagle, 2400 Juan Tabo Blvd. N.E., died on July 10 of liver cancer. He was 50.

Vincent was born Feb. 3, 1957, in Oklahoma City. He moved to Albuquerque when he was 6 years old and graduated from Sandia High School in 1975.

Before opening a bookstore, Vincent was a book collector, especially cookbooks.

"He was in love with cookbooks, but more in love with having food prepared for him," Rubin said.

Gail Rubin, Vincent's friend and Mitch's sister, said Vincent was a waiter for several years at a hotel near the airport. While he was a waiter, he began to sell his used cookbooks. That led him to open up his own book shop in 1985.

"His mission statement was to provide a resource for all spiritual seekers," said Mitch Rubin. "He wanted people to think for themselves. He wanted people to empower themselves both on an intellectual level and a spiritual level."

Vincent has 4,000 books still stacked at his home, said Rubin.

Although Vincent's love for books put him in the public eye, Rubin said his partner was still very reserved.

"He was a very public figure, but he was a very private person," he said.

Rubin said his partner's quiet nature was part of his wisdom and magical charm.

In the bookstore's previous locations — Downtown, Northeast Heights and Nob Hill — were murals of Vincent dressed like a wizard.

"He is Merlinesque," Rubin said.

A service is being planned for Vincent on Aug. 5. Call the bookstore at 298-3682 for more information.

Vincent is survived by his partner, Mitch Rubin; his sister, Vernona Rheinhart, and her children and grandchildren.