Samoan minister touched many lives

Hundreds of people gathered in the shadow of Christchurch's red zone yesterday to celebrate the life of Samoan minister and Pacific Islands community leader, the Rev Lapana Faletolu.

In a marquee beside the now-demolished St Paul's Trinity Pacific Presbyterian Church, mourners farewelled Faletolu, who served at the church for 21 years before ill health forced him to resign in August. He died on October 6.

His wife, Salote, described him as a caring, giving man who "touched of lot of people's lives".

Mayor Bob Parker was at the funeral. He said Faletolu was a "a very community-focused, generous, loving man with a family around him that adored him and a congregation that felt like his extended family".

Parker praised his contribution to the Samoan community and the wider Pacific population of Christchurch.

"We've lost a really great community leader and a really lovely human being," he said.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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blessed   #1   04:11 pm Oct 14 2011

What a great legacy he has left for all those who followed in his footsteps of the Gospel and the general public...R.I.P Rev Lapana.

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