Allen Jeston Craig/Stories

Devin— 15 September 2026

I was truly touched by your father’s story. It’s incredibly inspiring, and I read it several times. I believe that genuine and moving life stories deserve to be remembered forever.

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test 2— 15 September 2026

Family was always at the heart of Dad's life. He was a much-loved uncle and was loved by his nieces and nephews. He especially enjoyed having family visit from out of town and loved opening his home to them. Hosting family, sharing time together and making people feel welcome were some of the ways he showed his love. Dad met Mum in Hawke’s Bay in the early 1970s, and their relationship blossomed into a beautiful marriage. They were married on 11 April 1977, beginning the journey of the family they would build together . Their meeting marked the beginning of their life together and the family they would go on to build. Dad's journey took him from Samoa to New Zealand and eventually to Riverside, California, where he passed away. He is now laid to rest at Manukau Memorial Gardens, surrounded by the love and memories of his family.

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test 3— 15 September 2026

His childhood was challenging. He grew up in poverty and, like many young people of his generation, did not have the opportunity to finish his formal education. At just 14 years old, Dad travelled to New Zealand to look for work so that he could help support his family back in Samoa. Leaving home at such a young age was a great sacrifice, but it became part of the strong, determined and hardworking man he would grow into.

Dad did not speak much about his childhood, but he loved being with his brothers and sisters. They had each other, and the bond between them was important to him. His mother and his siblings were among the people he held especially close to his heart.

Although Dad did not finish school, he never stopped learning. He completed courses and developed his skills in electrical engineering. Through hard work, determination and perseverance, he eventually built and managed his own electrical engineering company. His business became an important part of his life and enabled him to provide for his family.

Dad's success was never only about what he could achieve for himself. He believed in giving other people opportunities. He mentored many people who came to work for his business, shared his knowledge and skills, and gave people the opportunity to learn, grow and build a better future for themselves.

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