A tribute to an Uncle and an early Pioneer...

Onehunga Cooperating Parish

 This last couple of days I've spent with my family in having lost an uncle who was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend to many. He seemed a quiet unassuming man but had much love and wisdom that he shared with his family and friends.

The family services were spent at Onehunga Cooperating parish which was formerly Onehunga P.I.C. (Pacific Islanders Presbyterian church) where my grandparents were some of the founding members of the Samoan group back in the 1950s when the first wave of Samoan migrants came to seek the opportunities of NZ.

The church now has combined different denominations to share in worship at the Onehunga church and there is a large hall that accommodates many functions from weddings, birthdays to funerals and other important gatherings.

The loss of a husband and father can never be underestimated as they hold such an important and dear place in our lives and my heart goes out to my aunty and cousins as they mourn the loss of their loved one. One who was so talented in sports, competitive, loved family and horses etc.

He was one of the many pioneers who left beautiful island environments to forge out a new life for himself and his family in the new frontier of NZ in the 1960s. He left a legacy that now his children, grandchildren and ongoing generations can be thankful for.

I couldn't help the tears flowing in watching the video montage and sharing in the sad loss in the knowledge that he has started another journey into the afterlife and eternity, something that we will all face at some time in the future.

Ia manuia lou malaga uncle, may your journey be blessed...