A prominent Samoan businessman, former General Manager for Polynesian Airlines, and founder of Natural Foods International Limited, Papalii Grant Stephen Percival passed away on Tuesday.

According to his family, he passed away in New Zealand at the age of 70, four weeks after his family got together to celebrate his birthday.

"With profound grief, we inform family, friends, and associates, of the death of beloved husband, phenomenal father, and loving brother and son, Susuga Papali’i Grant Stephen Percival at 11:09 am on 19 December 2023 after a short but fierce battle with cancer," a statement from his family reads.

"He passed peacefully in the arms of his wife Taulapapa Masoe Vaina (née Slade) and daughter Janina and surrounded by his sons Lloyd, Damien, Grant Jr, and his siblings Rhonda and Galumalemana Steven. 

"He was a titan, a jack and master of his many trades, and deeply loved his family and homeland Samoa. He will be sorely missed, and while we are devastated we take comfort in his relief from pain, and that he was surrounded with love and light in his last moments. 

"He is survived by his wife Taulapapa Masoe Vaina, his children Lloyd, Damien, Janina, and Grant Junior, his in-laws Meredith, Rowan, and Liam, his grandchildren Charlie, Petra, Maika, Tomasi, Walter, Leila, Buddy, and Manaia, his mother Greta Percival and siblings Rhonda, Sabrina, Fa’avaeolemalo Arno, and Galumalemana Steven.  

"Those who are willing and able are welcome to join us in offering our alofa and prayers for his next journey, a family service will be held at the Manurewa Bahá'i Centre, 16 Rowandale Road, Manurewa, at 10:00am on Saturday 23 December 2023, and his final service at his resting place will be at the Manukau Memorial Gardens Chapel at 10:00am on Sunday 24 December 2023, followed by the burial at 11:00am. "

The statement was signed by his wife, Taulapapa Masoe Vaina and his children, Lloyd, Damien, Janina, Grant Junior, his mother Greta and siblings, Rhonda, Faavaeomalo Arno, Sabrina ma Galumalemana Steve.

Meanwhile, Papalii managed Polynesian Airlines until 1994  and was also the president of the Samoa Association of Manufacturers and Exporters (SAME) and an entrepreneur known for his passion for Samoan products. 

In 2009, Papalii was among the first to look into manufacturing flour locally in Samoa. His goals were to ensure the flour meets quality standards and that it is a sustainable operation.