HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — Sinajana Vice Mayor Rudy D. Iriarte died early Wednesday morning after a long battle with diabetes, according to village Mayor Robert Hofmann.
Iriarte was 49 years old.
To Hofmann, Iriarte wasn’t just his vice mayor, but also a longtime friend.
“I’ve known him for 30-plus years. I’ve worked alongside him for 11 years as my vice mayor, and eight years prior to that, he was my clerk. And prior to that, he was my friend,” Hofmann said.
The two volunteered a lot at church, which is where they met, the mayor added.
“He was my best friend, and he was always the last person out of the room,” Hofmann said. “It’s a great loss for the island, because a lot of the programs that we have that are very successful are because of him. So, I’m just going to miss him greatly.”
Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio also offered their condolences.
“It is with great sadness that we offer our deepest condolences on the passing of Sinajana Vice Mayor Rudy D. Iriarte. As Municipal Clerk for eight years, followed by his role as vice mayor for over a decade, Vice Mayor Iriarte exemplified leadership with a purpose. His tenure was characterized by a relentless pursuit of positive change and an unyielding commitment to the well-being of Sinajana’s residents. His contributions have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the village, shaping it into a better place for all,” Leon Guerrero stated in a release.
“As we mourn the loss of Vice Mayor Rudy D. Iriarte, let us also celebrate the enduring legacy of a man who dedicated his life to the service of others. A proud son of Sinajana, Vice Mayor Iriarte understood the importance of uplifting families, and this was evidenced in his work creating and sustaining programs like the summer and Christmas camps, the senior citizen special events, and the village education and training programs. More than programming, he provided the necessary support to build, maintain, and renovate community spaces for our island’s youth and manåmko’. His compassion, leadership, and dedication to the well-being of each resident exemplified the true spirit of public service,” Tenorio stated.
Rudy D. Iriarte
