Relative', friends and fans of the late Papali’itele Peter Fatialofa are gathering in Apia this week to celebrate his life.
The celebration marks one year since the man simply referred to as “Fats” passed away. The Samoa celebrations are part of a weeklong commemoration, which will end in New Zealand with his official unveiling.
The celebration this week started on Thursday night during a gathering of friends and relatives of the legendary Manu Samoa figure at Vaitele.
A golf tournament was held at the Le Penina Golf Course yesterday to be followed by a concert at Sinalei Reef Resort this afternoon. All-time favourites, Ardijah, will entertain among others.
Earlier this week, Papali’itele’s widow, Anne and their children arrived in Samoa to revisit a place the Auckland-based Papali’itele had come to call home. On Thursday, they took flowers to the place where Fats parked his car and died at Savalalo on that unforgetable day, last year.
During Thursday night’s gathering at Conrad and Cecilia Keil’s place, close friend, former All Black and former Manu Samoa, Tiumalu Dylan Mika, recalled that fateful day. “A year ago, I was sitting at the breakfast table at Aggie’s when I was told you have gone,” Tiumalu said. “Not believing, I called your phone only to hear a stranger’s voice."
“I asked; who is this, where is Papali’itele? The caller replied - ua uma! Not believing him, he asked me to come and look.”
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Papali’itele was a man with a big heart, Tiumalu remembered. “He was passionate, loyal, friendly, caring, a family man, who enjoyed Life to the fullest. Everyone knew him from the little kid down the road, the village people, elderly men and women, not to mention globally around the world. “Who did not know of this man? He was a humble and simple person that was truly dedicated to the cause.”
But Fats was particularly dedicated to Samoa. “His Love for Samoa was so strong, he would use all his contacts and resources to help. For example his recent position as Head Coach for the Women's Team! He was very Proud! He was going to move heaven and earth for his team; he had so much faith and belief in his girls.
“There were struggles but Fats did not let that hinder his focus on the task ahead. That is the man he was, he never gave up, he kept pursuing and pushing. He was a big bloke with a cheeky smile who could never say no but would always front up!” Tiumalu noted that one of Fats’ dream is finally being realised.
“Fats has always dreamt of seeing Samoa play the All Blacks in Samoa.
That dream has come to fruition as Samoa prepares to host the All Blacks next year.”
As a former All Black, Tiumalu said it will be “special day.”
“Even though Fats has gone, his memory will live on and I would like to present to the Samoan Rugby Union this Trophy from our family in memory of Fats."
"This trophy will be put up every time they play the All Blacks, the first being next year.”
Tiumalu also acknowledge Anne and the children Jeremiah, Vasa, Italia, Courtney, Manu, Shelby, Giovanni and Robert-Alan.
“The loss of a husband and a father, especially when someone you love so much is taken away from you suddenly is hard to accept. But take heed and know your father is so proud of you all.
“A year has gone by, still hard to believe Fats has gone, we all have our own special memories and times with him, his memory lives on in us! As Fats would say "Too Much!"
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