Humberto Antenor Wilson

Humberto Antenor Wilson, was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador on November 3rd 1922, even though his legal documents say he was born on November 12th. He was raised by his grandmother after losing both his parents at an early age. He became quite fascinated by photography. He used to say that he loved the way a picture could seemingly capture a moment and freeze it in time. So it is no wonder he became a photographer. His first marriage produced three children, Betty, Victoria and Michael.

Restless after his divorce and in search of new opportunities and adventures he traveled from Ecuador to neighboring Colombia where a friend had offered him a job.

In 1958, while in Bogota, Colombia he met, fell in love and married Raquel Munive. They would be together for the next 52 years. They had two children, Ralph and Martha. He was a loving grandfather of six: Luis Fernando, Marcela, Liliana, Maria del Pilar, Gabriela, and Adrienne. He also is survived by four great grandchildren: Sara, Santiago, Laura and Maria Camila.

In June of 1969, Humberto and Raquel moved with their two young children to Queens, New York. In New York, they worked and raised their children. Humberto worked mainly as a printer, but he continued to photograph weddings and special events. He took pride in restoring old photographs. He would take an old frayed black & white photo, create a negative from it and then retouch the negative...bringing an old photograph back to life. Many times he would also take a black & white mate photograph and color it using oil paints. Humberto retired in 1988.

In November of 1989, Martha, Raquel and Adrienne visited Victoria in Seattle, Washington. Martha was so enchanted by the beauty of Seattle and the desire to be closer to her sister that she made the decision to move to Seattle. Martha's move prompted Humberto, Raquel and Ralph to move to Seattle so the small family could stay together. In April of 1990, they all made the trip to Seattle where they still live.

In 1990, Humberto was diagnosed with diabetes, which with the help of his loving wife, Raquel, he managed quite well for years. In 2003, he was diagnosed with severe stomach cancer. While the operation took two-thirds of his stomach he was able to regain his appetite and weight, which was marveled on by many, including his doctors. He did not even have to go through chemo or radiation. The cancer never returned.

In these last ten years his health continued to deteriorate, but he continued to fight through numerous trips in and out of Swedish hospital (we jokingly began to call it "Hotel Swedish"). In 2009, his family had to make the difficult decision to have him stay at Sea Mar Nursing Home because he demanded 24 hour care. There he lived his final days with frequent visits from his loving and devoted wife, children and granddaughter. His family feels comfort in the knowledge that at the end they were able to comply with his wishes of not being in pain. He passed peacefully with his family was by his side.

We will love, miss him and carry him in our hearts always,

Raquel, Betty, Victoria, Ralph, Martha, and Adrienne.