May 14, 1941 ~ August 15, 2026 (age 85)
With deep love, we announce the passing of Dr. Emiliano Saguier, a beloved father, grandfather, brother, and friend who died peacefully on August 15, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was born on May 14, 1941, in Asuncion, Paraguay. Dr. Saguier was a prominent Paraguayan chess player who won the national chess championship three consecutive times in 1967, 1968, and 1969, and represented Paraguay at the 1964 Chess Olympiad in Tel Aviv, where he competed in both the qualifiers and the final B section.
Born in Paraguay to chess patron Eduardo Saguier Iturburu, who significantly supported chess development in the country, Dr. Saguier began his competitive career in the early 1960s, participating in local tournaments. His first documented game occurred in Asunción in 1960, at age 20, against Serbian Grandmaster Svetozar Gligoric in a local event, marking the start of his chess career. He made his international debut at the 1964 chess Olympiad qualifiers in Tel Aviv, where he faced strong opponents, including future Grandmasters Viastimil Hort and Florin Gheorghiu. He posted a balanced record with wins, draws, and losses across 16 recorded games between 1960 and 1964.
Following his success as a chess player, he moved to the United States in the late 60s to pursue a career in medicine. He completed his medical internship in Danbury, CT, general surgery residency in Toledo, OH, and a urology residency in New York, NY, where he was an associate attending physician at Beth Israel Hospital. He and his family moved to West Point, GA, in 1976, where they have lived for the past 50 years. He practiced medicine at George H. Lanier Memorial for more than 20 years and was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church. Throughout his career, he served as Chief of Staff and Chief of Surgery. Dr. Saguier enjoyed being a physician, cared deeply for his patients, and adored his grandchildren.
After he retired, he and his wife Maria traveled the world together. They loved going on long walks and playing cards and board games with friends. When they were not traveling, he spent hours each day playing chess. They raised their three children in West Point, where chess became a family tradition. He also taught many of his nieces and nephews how to play. While living in West Point, the Saguiers welcomed at least 13 children of friends and family from Paraguay, who later went on to attend Springwood School, Auburn, and Georgia Tech. Some of these guests also learned to play chess. In the Saguier home, everyone was expected to play. Later, the Saguier children were surprised to find out that their mother never learned to play chess. She explained that since Dr. Saguier could win in just four moves or less, she never tried to learn because she knew she would never win.
He always maintained ties to Paraguay and the chess community, attending events such as the IV Torneo de Blitz in Asuncion in 2009, held in honor of his late father, during which he delivered a speech reminiscing about his father’s contributions to chess. His legacy endures as a key figure in mid-20th-century Paraguayan chess.
Dr. Saguier is survived by his wife of 59 years, Maria Saguier; his daughter Patricia (Patrick) Maroney; his son Edward (Julia) Saguier; his grandchildren Caitlin Maroney, Janae Saguier, and Jonathan Saguier; his sisters Clotilde Saguier, Stella Saguier Masi, and Rossana Saguier; his sisters-in-law Dr. Olga Sanchez and Dr. Mabel Duarte; and his brother-in-law Dr. Gerardo Mercado. In addition, he leaves behind a host of beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Eduardo Saguier Iturburu; his mother, Clotilde Rodas Saguier; his son, little Emi Saguier; his father-in-law Dr. Modesto Mercado; his mother-in-law Maria Elsa Mercado Arias; his uncle Mario Rodas Oddone; and his brothers-in-law Dr. Fernando Sanchez and Ing. Guido Duarte.
A mass for Dr. Saguier will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church of Lanett, Alabama on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 11am.
Johnson Brown-Service Funeral Home of Valley directing.
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