O le uo mo aso uma; o le uso mo aso vale

A friend for every day; a brother for bad days.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is recorded as having said: Grief is the price we pay for love.

Long ago Pubililius Syrus,  a Syrian from Antioch who was brought as a slave to Roman Italy wrote: To lose a friend is the greatest of losses.

Grief and loss were the order of the last week for the immediate family and Samoan members of the Wattle Downs Golf Club in South Auckland, because of the sudden death of Afioga a Sala Savelio Tagoa’I, 72, while playing the seventh hole with his mates on Thursday 11 April.

He had lived with a heart bypass for several years, according to the grieving widow, Si’iva Sala. His funeral service was on Wednesday 17 April.

In her eulogy, Mrs. Sala first said greetings to the officiating priest, Father Karl, the Ituaiga Sa, Sr Gabriella, Deacon Sanele and his wife, leaders of other churches, chiefs and orators attending, friends and family members.

A brief testimony about her beloved husband Savelio, the name he was given at his baptism and which he preferred to use; they had three children, Makerita, Kolio and Faafili; five grandchildren -Jordon, Joshsua, Liliva, Savelio and Moni; one greatgrandchild, Jack.

On their courtship in Samoa, she said, it was at the volleyball court of the Mormon Church at Tuana’i where it started. They went to buy some seafood (ofu gau) at Leauva’a but they forgot about that when they entered the volleyball court and saw this tall, handsome guy, despite his greying hair, playing volleyball. She was mesmerized by the whoosh of the speeding volleyball as it bounced and went out of the court. Wow, she thought.    

‘I could not stop wanting to watch this man’s play but we had to buy the seafood’

When we returned, he was standing by the wall of Mr Pinati’s store with a paper bag of pancakes. We then strolled to Afega.

A friendship had started between the Sipaika boy and a trainee teacher. A warm friendship developed over two years and then her beau, the volleyball man, left for New Zealand and the belle stayed behind to finish teacher training.

And with all those rosy-cheeked ladies in Aotearoa New Zealand, the volleyball guy swam back to his teacher friend in Samoa.

Life in New Zealand was tough, working for five or six days, starting at six in the morning until ten at night for the family’s upkeep. These were difficult times because of the low earnings even with overtime.

What with funds for us, funds for our parents, funds for the church, and the numerous faalavelave faa-Samoa. Savelio had to give up rugby, which he loved, because there was just not enough funds with overtime.

Of his life journey, he loved his family; he tried for what was best and affordable, within our means. His motto was make your offering with what you have in hand.

This was the reason we talked about what to do in the event of one of us dying to not burden our families, if he went first, take care of the family, make do with what you and the children can manage.

Remember the church that is being renovated; remember the Heart Foundation that enabled my life to last longer and the work of Caritas; remember dust to dust and earth to earth.

In reflecting on his journey this year, it is noted that he had found his peace; he was not a person who walks quickly, he walks carefully and thought deeply about  things; on his name he wanted to go and meet his Lord with the name he was given at his baptism.

He thanked those who had helped him such as Falevalu Tagoa’i, who brought him to New Zealand. He talked with gratitude of his parents who, despite the expensive new bicycle they still bought it so that he could ride to school’

He said to thank his brother and sisters for support and prayers; especially Sr Gabriella. These were some of the matters that he talked about with Kolio. He was happy he had talked on the phone with his brother.

Savelio had prepared for quite a long time for his meeting with his Lord. He had done the same with Muli’agatele Falevai and Tagoa’I Aumua.

To end her interesting recollection of some of the highlights of her dear husband’s life, Si’iva begged that her late husband be forgiven if he had in anyway mistreated or abused anyone.

‘He had long instructed that he wanted a happy farewell, that I was to make sure everyone was happy and make sure his mates all had a bottle, especially his golf buddies.’

Lastly, Siiva said they praise and thank God for the life of their dearest Savelio.

Ia manuia lava lenei aso Sa.