Lost Warrior's wish fulfilled

In death Sonny Fai should achieve one of his greatest wishes in life - a house for his mum and dad.

A $630,000 insurance payout from the National Rugby League to the missing Warriors star's family is on the verge of approval.

The heroic league sensation's body has not been found since he was washed out to sea at west Auckland's Bethells Beach after saving his younger brother and four cousins from surging waves on January 4.

Sister Lalelei Fai did not want to discuss the payout but confirmed Sonny always wanted "the best for his family", including a home of their own for dad Salelua and mum Tausili.

Memorial services will be held tomorrow and Tuesday for the 20-year-old, who was on the verge of NRL superstardom.

Family and close friends, including Warriors team-mates, will attend a service at the family's Samoan Methodist Church in south Auckland's Otahuhu at 10am tomorrow.

The service, including speeches about Sonny's life, will be followed by a gathering at the Malaeola Community Centre in Mangere.

The public will be invited to a service at Bethells Beach on Tuesday, starting at 4pm. A plaque will be installed on a rock at the beach to remember Sonny's selfless bravery.

"And we'll go out to the sea and drop some flowers into the ocean, acknowledging he's gone," Lalelei said.

She said the family had been given the courage to accept it was time to move on by Warriors CEO Wayne Scurrah and Sonny's manager Peter Brown, who visited their Mangere home.

"I think we needed that talk from them. It encouraged me that you don't have to put your life on hold," Lalelei said.

"Wayne was telling us to try and carry on with life.

"He spoke of the good person Sonny was and it would be so sad to see his family destroyed (by Sonny's loss). He wants everyone to celebrate his life.

"It's hard because everyone was telling us, `Keep the faith, don't give up' (on the family's search for Sonny's body). But keeping the faith that I have, is keeping the faith in the Lord that he would return him some day."

The Warriors are looking to assist the Bethells Beach Surf Life Saving Club and have nominated Surf Lifesaving Northern Region as one of its three official charity partners for this year.

The club also has plans under way for an award in Sonny's name.

A minute's silence will be held before the Warriors season-opener on Saturday, against Parramatta, at Mt Smart Stadium.

And the home-ground round-four clash with South Sydney, on Sunday April 5, will be dedicated to Sonny.

The pre-game entertainment will include performances from his old school De La Salle College and Otahuhu College where Lalelei teaches the Samoan tutor group.

- © Fairfax NZ News