Chances are that many of you have, either framed on the wall or lying around somewhere, one or more photographs taken by Eddie Siguenza. For even longer than I can remember – for nearly 50 years, Eddie took pictures of everyone and everything.

I first met Eddie when I came to Guam in 1984. He was at every news event I’ve ever covered here, clicking away, recording the island’s history with his unique style. As far as Guam photographers go, he was the icon. Did it for longer, and I would venture to say, took more photos than anybody else. His death over the weekend in Texas has left yet another void in Guam’s band of photographers.

They say tragedies come in threes, so after news of P.J. Borja’s death from cancer on Oct. 25 in San Diego, and the shocking death of 44-year-old Roel Santiago just nine days later, I was saddened, but not surprised, to hear of Eddie’s passing. In his late seventies, he had been ill and was staying with his family over on the mainland.

One story stands out in my mind that I think sums up Eddie’s attitude about his role as Guam’s elder statesman of the craft. It was May of 1999, and Guam was hosting the South Pacific Games. Maureen Maratita and I were in charge of corralling the media and keeping them on the media stand for the opening ceremonies at the John F. Kennedy High School stadium. Suddenly, one of the crowd control guys comes running over to us in a panic and says something to the effect of, “There’s a guy way over on the other side taking pictures of the crowd. I told him he had to get over to the media stand, but he won’t leave.” Maureen and I looked at each other. “Gotta be Eddie,” we said to each other. I ran over and Eddie was arguing with another crowd controller who was trying to tell him that he had to go to the media stand with all the other photographers, and Eddie was telling the guy that you can’t get good crowd shots from there. When Eddie saw me, he scowled. “Tell this guy to leave me alone. He doesn’t know who I am.”

I took the young man by the arm and led him away from Eddie. He had this, “But, but…” look on his face. I explained that Eddie was one of Guam’s oldest and most renowned photographers, and that you don’t tell Eddie where he can shoot pictures – he tells you where he wants to go. “Just let it go,” I told the guy.

When Eddie took your picture at an event, the next event you went to, he would come up to you and give you copies of the photos he took of you at the last event. His generosity is something we’re all going to miss much more than we realize.

Last week, in tribute to Roel and PJ, I wrote that the rest of us just take pictures, but that photographers capture the soul of a moment. Eddie Siguenza was one of Guam’s original soul-catchers. I’m sure that Roel and PJ were waiting for him with cameras ready. Between the three of them, heaven is going to have one amazing photography crew. 

Photographers, prepare your gear for another 21-camera salute.

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