Niue mourns three other stalwarts in the first month of the year

Along with Richard Hipa, BCN News honours and remembers three other hardworking men of Niue, Sione Pokau Sionetama, Harkai Pihigia and Bob Tunifo Talagi.

Sione Pokau Sionetama was the Director of Customs and Tax from Tuapa, passed away on December 30th. He was 55 years old. A senior public servant of 32 years Sionetama was also a member and leader of the Tuapa Village Council for many years and deacon of the Ekalesia Tuapa Uhomotu.

His sudden passing due to an underlying health condition shocked the island as Sionetama was enjoying Christmas with his daughters and family just days before. Sione Pokau Sionetama is survived by his wife Pats and their four daughters and his 2 month old namesake and grandson Sionepokau Jnr.

Two weeks later the community of Tuapa Uhomotu again mourned the loss of another stalwart in Harkai Pihigia who passed away at Auckland hospital on the 16th of January. He was 68 years old. The civil engineer turned successful businessman was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer months earlier. Harkai Pihigia was a pillar of the Ekalesia of Tuapa Uhomotu as a deacon and used his engineering skills during the upgrade and renovations of the church building several years ago. He is remembered as an intelligent, humble and loving family man. He will be brought back home on Friday for his burial. Harkai is survived by his wife Nika, their six children and their families.

Another Niue stalwart was Bob Tunifo Talagi, the former manager of the Niue Foou Hospital was returned to Niue by his family and buried at his home in Lalotava Lakepa earlier this month. He passed away in Auckland on the 21st of December. He was 68 years old. Bob Tunifo is a friend to many and he is remembered as a happy chap who enjoyed a good yarn with a cold beer or two with his many mates. Bob is fondly remembered also for his role in the mosquito spraying programme for the health department. Bob is survived by his wife Foufou, their three children and their families.

We extend our deepest sympathies to the families for their loss. To our four stalwarts of Niue, rest in peace.

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