Church mourns Pastor Ma’anaima’s passing

By Sarafina Sanerivi 26 June 2016, 12:00AM

The church fraternity is mourning the loss of a beloved leader, pioneer.

It comes after the passing of Pastor Ma’anaima Pepa Aloali’i. 

He was 75.

Married to Fa’atupu Olive Aloali’i with five children, Pastor Ma’anaima’s eldest daughter, Malaefilogia Aloali’i, described her father as “a man of God and a man of faith.”

“He preached faith and he lived it,” said Malaefilogia. 

“He was a strict father like most parents and he was a loving father to us all.”

Malaefilogia said her father always had high expectations for all of his children. 

“He was more maternal… he was a loving father to us, especially his grandchildren. All of his grandchildren were so close to him.

“He treated everyone and anyone like his own blood and flesh. Regardless of who they were and where they come from, he was always kind to so many people. And that is something he instilled in us. He planted in our hearts that we are all children of God and that we should help one other no matter what.”

Malaefilogia told the Sunday Samoan that her father has been sick for a long time. 

“He was advised by the doctor to do his dialysis 16 years ago, and most doctors were surprised that he survived this long. He had a bypass operation in 2006, and his kidney failed a long time ago. 

“He came to New Zealand last year and I took him to the doctor at Middlemore Hospital, and the doctors were shocked that he was still alive. 

“But even when the doctors advised him to do his dialysis, he always said that he will wait for God to call him.”

Said Malaefilogia, it was his father’s faith that kept him alive. 

“I am proud that he was my father,” she said. “I am also honored to be his daughter and to be raised by a loving person like him.”

Malaefilogia said she has a lot of good memories of her father when he was still alive. 

“But my favorite memory of him was the quality time he spent with his grandchildren,” she said. “They are all close to him and he loved them so very much.

“He was more like a mother to us most of the time. I remember that whenever we feel sick in the middle of the night, he would always stay up the whole night to take care of us and make us feel better. He was a hero and we will forever miss him.

“His favorite saying to us was “Be humble and have humility.” 

“His heart was the church, and even though we will miss having him around, but his words and spirit will continue to inspire us each and every day. We will continue his legacy.”

Pastor Ma’anaima Pepa Aloali’I is from Salani Falealili and Moamoa. He is a grandfather of twelve and a great-grandfather of two. 

His family service will be held today at 2:00pm at his house at Moamoa, and this is for his family only. At 7:00pm today, there will be another service for his friends and members of the public. 

His final service will be held tomorrow. 

By Sarafina Sanerivi 26 June 2016, 12:00AM

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