On Thursday a requiem mass was celebrated at the village Vaivase Tai, just inland of Apia, Samoa for Rugby legend Peter Fatialofa,
Eulogies were delivered at a service at the Catholic Church at Vaivase-Tai at 11am before the mass which was was held at 2pm.
The Head of State, Ministers of Cabinet, members of the diplomatic corp and students of St Joseph’s and Avele colleges were amongst friends and relatives who attended the requiem mass.
The head of state, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese, stood beside an open casket and hugged the body in farewell.
Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, who is from the same village of Lepa as Fatialofa, is overseas.
After the Mass, Peter Fatialofa’s body rested for a final time at Aggie Greys Lagoon Beach Resort and Spa near Faleolo airport.
Another rugby icon La’auli Alan Grey, former coach of the national team, and a generous supporter of Samoan rugby, is a major shareholder in the resort and wanted the rugby legend to stop by one more time.
Peter’s body was flown to Auckland, New Zealand, to his family at 7pm on Thursday evening. Hundreds have farewelled Peter’s body which was aboard an Air New Zealand flight arriving in Auckland at 10:30pm. Hundreds of people were expected at Auckland Airport for his arrival.
A Catholic funeral will take place next week in Mangere, family say.
Source
- Talamua
- Stuff.co.nz
- Image: Talamua