Papali'itele Peter Fatialofa, aka Fats,was a Samoan rugby player who captained Samoa in their first Rugby World Cup appearance in 1991. He died suddenly in Apia on 6 November at the age of 54.
His body was returned to his family in Auckland. A family memorial service was held at the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau on the evening of 12 November.
(Karen Mangnall, Radio New Zealand’s Pacific Issues correspondent based in Auckland, recorded parts of the service for a Morning Report package. Sound Archives approached Karen to deposit the RAW audio (17 tracks). Some of the items are distorted as per the original recording. The following notes were provided by Karen:)
Audio from the family memorial service, in order of appearance (some speeches were not recorded).
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Papali'itele Peter Fatialofa's casket arrived at the auditorium in one of his Peter Fats furniture removal vans. It was carried into the auditorium to sound of conch shells and covered with a white shroud and ie toga, or fine mats. The Ranfurly Shield, on loan from holders Counties Manukau, was propped against the casket along with pictures of Fats.
More than 1000 people attended the service, including former All Blacks and Manu Samoa players, and many children and teenagers still in school uniform.
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Welcome: Rev Karima Fai'ai, Manukau Pacific Islanders Presbyterian Church, includes prayer in Samoan.
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Master of Ceremonies introduction: Tofiga Fepulea'i, member of Laughing Samoans comedy duo.
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Bryan Williams: Friend, team-mate at Ponsonby Rugby Club, and Auckland. Former All Black. Assistant coach of Manu Samoa at the 1991 RWC where Fats captained them to the quarterfinals with an upset win over Wales. Speaking on behalf of the NZRU, ARU, the Barbarians.
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Phil Gifford: Sports journalist, wrote Fats' biography.
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Joe "Smokin' Joe" Stanley: Friend, team-mate at Ponsonby Rugby Club, and Auckland. Former All Black.
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Herman Retzlaff: Lawyer, friend of Fatialofa family, his sister accompanied Fats' body from Samoa to Auckland.
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Sose Annandale: General manager, Sinalei Reef Resort, Apia. Ex marketing manager, Aggie Grey's Hotel, Apia and talks about her time there when Fats was a regular visitor. Accompanied his body from Samoa to Auckland.
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Toleapai Lui Tautolo: Friend, founder and patron of the Auckland-based Samoan Sports and Leisure Association, of which Fats was the president.
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Vili Alaalatoa: Member of Manu Samoa rugby side at the 1991 Rugby World Cup, which Fats captained. Speaking on behalf of Fats' former team-mates.
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Song: We are Samoa - Pelega o Samoa. Sung in English, then in Samoan by Fats' former Manu Samoa team-mates. As Vili Alaalatoa recounts at the end of FATS10, it was Peter Fats' favourite song at the two RWC tournaments he played in with Manu Samoa.
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Su'a David Fatialofa: Fat's older brother. Talks about the siblings and their children.
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Meli Maunga: Peter Fatialofa's sister.
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Filo Fatialofa: Fat's nephew.
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Luafalealo Felise (not full speech): Brother-in-law.
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Cesca Luafalealo: Niece, halfback in the Manu Sina, Samoan women's rugby side which has qualified for the 2014 world cup. Coached by Peter Fats.
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Hymn: Mo'omo'oga Sa Molia i Talosaga, to the tune of Isa Lei. Led by Luafalealo Felise.
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Morning Report package - broadcast 06:13 on Wednesday 13 November.