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Governor remembers Associate Judge Sagapolutele as notable, humble public servant
High Court Associate Judge Sagapolutele Malaeola, 68, of Ili’ili passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, Nov. 24. Upon hearing the news, Governor Togiola Tulafono said he was “deeply saddened” as Sagapolutele was “one of American Samoa’s most notable and humble public servants.”
Prior to his sudden death, Sagapolutele, a deacon at the Ili’ili Catholic Church and one of the high talking chiefs of the village, served as an associate judge at the High Court of American Samoa for twelve years.
His long time friend and colleague Chief Associate Judge Logoai Siaki said that Sagapolutele’s death “is a big loss for me and the Court.” Logoai added that he would often seek advice from Sagapolutele whom he described as a very quiet and humble man who took his work very seriously and was very considerate.
“Judge Sagapolutele committed his professional life serving the people of American Samoa in all three branches of government beginning with the Department of Education, then the Legislature, and most recently, the Judicial branch,” Togiola said in a statement. “The leaders and the people of American Samoa are grateful for Judge Sagapolutele’s lifelong dedication and passion for public service.”
The Governor said that it was Sagapolutele’s service as a matai and deacon where he espoused the importance of practicing the faasamoa with God’s love and guidance.
“To him we owe a great deal of gratitude and appreciation for his service and contribution in both government and village life and especially for the legacy he leaves behind for the church, family, and village,” Togiola said.
“On behalf of the Territory and people of American Samoa, Mary Ann joins me in offering to the children, Judge Sagapolutele’s brothers and sisters, and the entire Sagapolutele Family our sincerest sympathy and condolences.”
He concluded, “May God’s love and grace comfort and strengthen the children and the Sagapolutele family during this very difficult and challenging time.”
Sagapolutele passed away in front of a grocery store in Ili’ili on Saturday morning after he left home for his usual weekend walks. The news of his death came as a shock to everyone, as Sagapolutele was not known to be ill.
Born Anthony Malaeola Sagapolutele on May 28, 1939, the late associate judge was married to Matalua who passed away in 2003. The couple is survived by their 12 children and grandchildren.
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