SAM CHAMPION has paid tribute to a much-loved colleague who passed away over the weekend.
Tributes have been flooding in for the late photographer and editor Todd Pierce.
GettySam Champion has paid tribute to his late-colleague Todd Pierce[/caption]
Twitter/Sam ChampionTodd died after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer from his time covering 9/11[/caption]
The ABC news outlet, Eyewitness News announced on Monday that they received news of Todd’s death over the weekend.
The 57-year-old, was a photographer for Eyewitness News for over 20 years.
He lost a long battle with cancer on Friday and is survived by his wife and daughter.
GMA weatherman Sam worked with the photographer on WABC-TV.
He paid tribute to his colleague by simply tweeting: “An artist, a craftsman, a pure joy.”
The news of Todd’s death was broken by Bob Monek, managing editor of Eyewitness News.
He wrote on Facebook: “It is profoundly sad to share the news that our friend and colleague at WABC, Todd Piece lost his battle with cancer last night.
“Todd was a creative force – one of the best photographers and editors that I ever had the good fortune to know.
“Todd had a keen eye for impactful images, many of which he shared on his Instagram account.
“Above all, though, Todd was a really wonderful dad.
“My heart goes out to his wife and daughter. Rest well, my friend. Until we meet again.”
Viewers of the show were touched by a “moving tribute” from staff at Eyewitness News.
The news outlet said: “Our Eyewitness News family has suffered a terrible loss.
“His talent, professionalism, his sense of humor, wide smile, and most importantly, his big heart touched us all.”
The statement continued: “We express out sincere condolences [to his wife and daughter] and our thoughts are with them.
“We are all devastated by his loss and want his family to know how loved and respected Todd was to us.”
One tweeted: “What a moving tribute! I could feel the love of all the Eyewitness News staff in this piece.
“May his memory be a blessing!”
Another added: “That was a beautiful tribute to Todd Pierce.
“He was so clearly respected and beloved by his colleagues.
“My condolences to his family and friends.”
Todd covered major stories including the plane crash on the Hudson River and George Bush giving his speech at Ground Zero on 9/11.
Colleagues said in a clip posted on ABC7 that “New York was his canvas.”
The clip was narrated by ABC colleague Josh Einiger who worked closely with Todd.
It detailed how Todd was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer around Christmas 2021.
“For all his efforts to stay safe from Covid, It was 9/11 that got him,” he said
Einiger added: “Doctors linked [the cancer] to toxic dust he breathed downtown 20 years earlier.
“He fought hard for 15 months. He fought for his wife Shelly and daughter Sarah.
“He fought to come back to his job, but Friday morning he lost his fight.
“It was peaceful, just like the man who touched so many.”
