The widow of the late Taule’ale’ausumai La’avasa Malua yesterday paid tribute to a loving father, wonderful husband and a “gentle man” who was committed to serving Samoa.
Taule’ale’a was the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) until he passed away last Friday evening.
He was 45.
During an interview with the Samoa Observer, Pesetā Margaret Peters-Malua was emotional as she recalled that today, 17 December 2013, would have been their 19th wedding anniversary.
“I am heartbroken,” she said. “But I also know there is nothing much we can do when our Heavenly Father calls us.”
Peseta said her husband’s passing has come as a shock to her, their family and everyone who knew Taule’ale’a.
She said he had just returned from Fiji when she noticed he was not feeling very well.
He was admitted to the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital several times, she said.
Yesterday, the widow said it was difficult to accept what has happened.
However, she reiterated that “God has called my husband home and God’s timing is entirely his prerogative.”
Dealing with the loss though is not easy. For instance, she admitted that it was hard to forget Taule’ale’a, who is affectionately known as “Stau” to relatives, colleagues and friends.
“He was a great father,” said Peseta.
“He loved to spend time with his children and that’s what mattered the most to him.”
One of Taule’ale’a's quality that would be hard to forget was his ability to remain calm under pressure.
“He was a steady person in the sense that he remained calm when things did not go well at the workplace or at home,” she said.
“Everyone is going to miss him.”
The late Chief Executive Officer was also passionate about serving God.
As a member of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa at Vailoa-uta, Peseta said her husband always made time for his church.
google_ad_client = "ca-pub-2469982834957525";
/* Left 300X250 */
google_ad_slot = "8433753430";
google_ad_width = 300;
google_ad_height = 250;
//-->
</script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script> {/googleAds}
“He loved serving the Lord through the church,” she said.
“La’avasa is a gentle and very humble man. He knew every one on both his mother and father’s side and no matter what fa’alavelave came up, he never shied away, he was always there.
“Yes…he is a gentle man” Taule’ale’a was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Natural Resources in 2009.
“On the second day of his new appointment as a C.E.O, the tsunami hit Samoa,” said Peseta. “I still remember those days. He used to spend endless hours at work. He was dedicated to his work and that’s one quality that people who worked with him will miss.”
But Taule’ale’a was strong at work because he was well supported at home.
“We supported him all the way,” said Peseta.
Taule’ale’ausumai started working for the Government in 1990 at the Cabinet Secretariat.
He then moved to the Department of Lands and Survey in 1992 as an Environment Officer after receiving his Bachelor in Arts from Victoria University, Wellington New Zealand.
Work, at times, was challenging, Peseta recalled.
“But he shared only the stuff that he believed would help me and the children. When it comes to other matters at his workplace, he never [spoke about it].”
Taule’ale’a was not only a public servant.
He held many roles outside of government including the Presidency of his village’s rugby club, Vaiala.
Taule’ale’a was the third of six children of the late Asomua Vili Malua Bentley and his mother, Alovale. He is survived by Pesetā and their two children.
His funeral service will be held next Monday.
PROFILE:
Academic Qualifications
2006 Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management, University of New England, Australia.
2000 Master of Science (First Class Honors) – Environment and Marine Science Auckland University, New Zealand
1992 Bachelor of Arts – Geography, Victoria University Wellington, New Zealand
1987 University Preparatory Certificate of Merit – National University of Samoa, Samoa
1986 University Entrance – Samoa College – Samoa
1985 School Certificate – Samoa College – Samoa
Employment Details
2009 Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Government of Samoa
2006 Assistant Project Manager, Samoa Infrastructure Management Project, World Bank/Govt of Samoa
Also Environment Specialist, Isikuki Punivalu and Associates (IPA) Ltd, 2002 Assistant Chief Executive Officer Planning and Urban Management Agency, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, 1998 Chief Environment Planning and Policy Officer, Division of Environment, Depar tment of Lands, Surveys and Environment, Government of Samoa
1996 Senior Environment Planning and Protection Officer, Division of Environment, Department of Lands, Surveys and Environment, Government of Samoa.
1992 Environment Officer, Division of Environment, Department of Lands, Surveys and Environment, Government of Samoa
1991/92 Clerk, Cabinet Secretariat (November 91 – March 92)
1990/91 Clerk, Cabinet Secretariat (November 90 – March 91).
google_ad_client = "ca-pub-2469982834957525";
/* Bottom Articles */
google_ad_slot = "5910176767";
google_ad_width = 468;
google_ad_height = 60;
//-->
</script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script> {/googleAds}