Invasion of the Coffee Shops

"I ran interference for him. I was his confidant, trying to give him a perspective. We developed a wonderful friendship. He became my very best friend."

Barbagelata, the lifelong devout Catholic, also helped Stoen with his burgeoning interest in Christianity. It was an important change in Stoen's life, moving from worship of a madman to worshipping in a traditional church.

As Barbagelata grew sicker in his last years, Stoen was a frequent visitor at his hospital bedside. He took over more of Barbagelata's legal affairs. He wrote his last will and testament.

"By then, I had become a Christian and John was a Christian; we had our Christian relationship," Stoen said. "We were able to talk candidly about death. He was very, very willing to go. He knew he was going to meet Christ. I knew my son was with Christ. We had a common spiritual connection."

No one has ever asked Stoen about his relationship with Barbagelata. Few people know about it, he said, but it makes him happy to tell it.

And me, to let others hear it.

George Cothran (gcothran@sfweekly.com) can be reached at SF Weekly, 185 Berry, Suite 3800, San Francisco,