He's been involved with Gala, the island's LGBTQIA+ organization for a long time. The group is among the many mourning the loss of its Board President Rev. James Moore.

It was on May 29, Moore was found in the waters behind Westin Resort in Tumon, unresponsive. Those who knew him best, said it was a place he truly loved.

Hannah Mendiola, Program Coordinator for Gala, has known Moore for two years.

“He was generally a point of encouragement, he was the type of leader you want to work under, so genuine. He was more of a guide than a dictator, I really respected him for that,” said Mendiola.

The organization took to social media to honor Moore who, “fiercely advocated for marriage equality...and provided unwavering guidance and stability.”

As an openly gay deacon at St. John's Episcopal Church, during pride month, he would lead the pride mass there. Mendiola said he always looked forward to doing it.

For those who didn't know him, she best described Moore as a “great family member.”

“The kind of family member that would get the family together for holiday events and the type of family member that you would ask to get you gifts off island whenever he would go…He'd be somebody that you'd want to check in with from time to time if you happen to go by his house one day. He was a cool person, and a good friend,” she added.

Mendiola extended her condolences to family and friends both here and abroad, who shared in the grief of losing Moore but will forever cherish his memory.

“I hope we continue the good work that he believed in,” she said.