“I asked him– why don’t you go and live with your wife and children in the United States? He said to, this is the only time I get to serve the Prime Minister and I want to serve him well”
Ualetenese Papali’i Taimalelagi Tofilau was an “academic achiever” who lived and enjoyed life. He was also a man who had a passion for music.
That’s how his sister, Lagipuao Papali’i, described him during an interview with the Sunday Samoan yesterday, ahead of Uale’s burial in Savai’i this week.
Uale, who had served as the President of the Journalists Association of [Western] Samoa, as well as being the Press Secretary, passed away last Monday.
He was 61.
Through tears, Ms. Papali’i said her brother’s death is “a big loss to our family”.
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“Uale was an academic achiever who up until his death was never tired of learning,” she said. “He loved learning and reading. He had a very sharp mind in all aspects of life, whether it be religion or political.”
Ms. Papali’i fondly remembers the exchanges she used to have with her brother.
“I would often say to him that I think you have chosen the wrong field in theology, you should have been a politician or a lawyer,” she said.
Uale is an ordained Reverend of the E.F.K.S church who taught at the Malua Theological College.
Away from the Bible, Ms. Papali’i said her brother was loyal to his employer, the government.
“Uale was a hundred per cent committed to his calling, in his position as the Press Secretary.”
So much so he refused to leave Samoa.
“I asked him– why don’t you go and live with your wife and children in the United States? He said to me, this is the only time I get to serve the Prime Minister and I want to serve him well.”
Ms. Papali’i said her brother had plans that when he stopped serving the government, he would return to America.
Uale was also someone who doesn’t do things in “half measures.”
“He would do things whole heartedly,” said his sister. “And he never panicked, regardless of whether something was urgent or not. I can’t remember ever seeing him panic.”
Music was in his blood.
“Most of my brothers are musicians including Uale. Their talents came from our grandfather who was a composer with the Alii and Faipule choir of Leulumoega.
“I still remember here in Nafanua, I would be sleeping, it's 3am and would I hear him singing from his room, strumming the mandolin and singing loudly like it was broad day light until he becomes tired.
“Often when I come to visit him and it’s time to return, I would hop into his car and on the seats I would see his music instruments; guitar mandolin and a set of pool [billiard] cues. He loved his music that much.”
Uale was also a family man, who loved every member of his family unconditionally.
“He was a giving and a very generous person but if you got on his bad side, God help you.”
Uale hails from the villages of Sapapali’i, Leulumoega, Lalomalava, Salelologa and Iva. He is survived by three children and wife Malaetuua.
He has three grandchildren.
Uale was educated in various primary schools in Savai’i while growing up.
He attended Leulumoega-fou College and later moved to Avele College before joining the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa’s Malua Theological College.
After completing his studies at Malua, he was awarded a scholarship to the Pacific Theological College in Fiji where he obtained a Bachelor of Divinity.
Uale then received another scholarship that took him to Boston Massachusetts in the United States. He attended Yale University where he later graduated with a Masters of Divinity.
"After his success from Yale University, he returned to Samoa where he served as lecturer at Malua Theological College,” said Ms. Papali’i.
He was then moved to Matautu Falelatai to serve as parish minister for the congregation there.
Sometime later, he started work with the Legislative Assembly as a translator before moving to the Savali and finally becoming the Press Secretary.
Uale will be buried at Sapapali’i Savai’i next to his parents; Papali’i Taimalelagi Sa’umani and Vaimataiva.
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