The life of a father, a dedicated policeman and a matai who served his village, family and country well was celebrated yesterday. 

Mourners paid tribute to Senior Superintendent Su’a Le Mamea Safune Malaesilia Tiumalu Afele who was laid to rest at his home at Gagaifolevao, Lefaga.

He died at the beginning of the month. He was 62.

Among the mourners were members of the Council of Deputies, Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II and Le Mamea Ropati Mualia. The funeral was also attended by Members of Parliament and the Police force.

Police Commissioner Fuiavailili Egon Keil paid tribute to an honest, hardworking and committed man who served the Police for 38 years.

His wife, Faasipa Kolose Malaesilia Tiumalu, described her husband as a loving and a humble person. They had been married for 40 years before he passed away. 

 “He adores his children as well as his grand children very much. They are very dear to his heart.

“When our children were young I usually spank them and he would never say anything but I could tell by his face because he would turn red and that’s when I knew he was angry at me for spanking the children.”

Su’a did everything at home – including the grocery shopping. He was also a peacemaker.

 “When we have a family get together, sometimes they get into a dispute but this is the one person who can calm them down and then they come into an agreement.

 “One thing about my husband is that he never misses coming home with some food to give to the children when he finishes work. That’s how he is.”

Mrs. Tiumalu also told the gathering that her husband’s job as a police officer was so dear to his heart.

“His job was his life,” she said. “From the time he became a police officer until now he had never taken any annual leave or sick leave.

“No matter how sick he was he would always go to work and sometimes I get angry at him because I know he was sick and yet he was still going to work.

 “Sometimes I would ask him why he doesn’t take any leave like his other sons but he just said that he can’t because there’s a lot that he needs to do.”

Su’a’s eldest son Taimalie Malaesilia Tise Malaesilia Tiumalu echoed his mother’s eulogy about his father. He said his father was like a friend and a brother.

“He was a humble man and a loving person,” he said. “He will do anything and everything for us even when we now have children of our own.

“We will miss him so much, his smile and cheerful spirit will always be in our hearts and we will never forget him. We will treasure every moment we had with our father until we meet again. We love you dad.”

Su’a Tiumalu is the son of Malaesilia Vaesavali and TaialevaaiTiumalu and Tiumalu Luatutu and Talele Tiumalu.

He married Faasipa Kolose on September 18, 1977.

He is survived by four children, all boys and seven grandchildren.