Former Member of Parliament Patu passes away

Former Member of Parliament for Vaimauga West, Patu Ativalu Togi II, has passed away.

He died peacefully at his family home at Vaiala on Wednesday last week. He was 78 years old. 

During an interview with the Samoa Observer, his wife Faga Patu, said her husband died a month after his 77^th birthday. 

He was admitted at the Moto’otua hospital on the 7 September, the day he turned 77. 

“He had a long battle with cancer and it was the cause of death,” said Mrs. Patu. 

“Patu is very sociable and people know that about him. He was also someone who lived to serve his family. He was all about his family.” 

The 76-year-old widow said her family did not expect to say goodbye to Patu this soon. 

“He was strong and did not show any pain during the time he was ill,” she added. 

The former M.P. who was an Associate Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, will be laid to rest on Monday next week at Vaiala. 

He is survived by 10 children and 12 grandchildren. 

Patu was a teacher and a Police officer by profession. 

A founding member of the Samoa Democratic United Party, he first entered politics in 2001.

He returned to Parliament after winning a by-election in 2007 for Vaimauga West under the Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P.) flag. 

He was a member several parliamentary committee such as the Health and Social Services, Internal Affairs, Community and Social Development committee, Primary Production Commerce and Industry and Labour Committee.