A former budget director and Treasurer in the early days of elected governors in American Samoa, Ace Agaese Tago, passed away last Tuesday in San Mateo, California.
He was 78.
Tago was regarded as one of the proverbial ‘birds of the flock’ sent off-island to pursue an education and help run the government, in the formative years of self government.
He was Director of the Budget Office in the first and second terms of American Samoa’s first elected governor and Lt Governor, Uifaatali Peter Coleman and Tufele Li’amatua.
In those days the budget law was strictly followed, preliminary budgets were presented to the Fono a year before the start of the fiscal year.
Tago was later appointed as Treasurer in the third term of Governor Uifataali Peter Coleman.
He made an unsuccessful run for American Samoa’s seat in Congress then moved to San Francisco where his second wife Kate was a district school superintendent.
Tago worked for the city of San Francisco Business and Finance Office, and was appointed as comptroller for the City of Oakland up to the time of his retirement.
He was also one of the shareholders of McDonald’s American Samoa with his good friend Tautolo Agaoleatu Tautolo, and other business partners.
Tautolo described Tago as a financial expert with a soft heart for the people. He had a quiet demeanor and was cool under pressure, said Tautolo.
“In all the time I’ve known him, Ive never seen him mad, even when he had a lot to juggle , said the McDonald’s owner.
Eastern District Governor Alo Dr. Paul Stevenson attended junior college with Tago and they also served on the Uifaatali Tufele campaign committee.
Alo remembers Tago as a professional, who did not let friendship get in the way of work.
“He was a stickler for following the budget law and gave sound advice to government leaders…the leaders respected him.” Alo remisced.
He added however that even though Tago was always calm and laid back, “when he gets mad, he lets you have it.”
Alo said Ace and his family were close friends of his family.
Deacon Francis Leasiolagi who worked under Tago in the Budget Office during the Coleman Lutali years said Tago was responsible for establishing a comprehensive system of budgetary controls based on the Budget Act that if followed meticulously would ensure that government stay within approved budget levels.
“He was an astute budget and financial manager of the limited resources of government to provide basic services to its people,” Leasiolagi recalls.
Tago was also a leading tennis player, basketball player and golfer.
A few years ago, Tago was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease, a progressive nervous system (neurological) disease that destroys nerve cells and causes disability.
Tago is survived by his wife Kate, and four children, daughters Renee, Michelle and Stephanie and a son, Robert. Our condolences to his family for their loss.
