Bishop Vaifanua Mulitauaopele, the driving force behind efforts to build a private health center in the territory died over the weekend in Spartunburg, South Carolina.
For many years he and his wife Eva have been bringing a medical team from Hope Mission ministries to hold free medical clinics here and in Samoa and also providing medication and supplies.
The couple had left the territory earlier this month to take a Samoan girl Lila to start a new life with a family in the US and to spend Christmas with their children.
Family members said Bishop Vaifanua had a heart attack less than 24 hours after arriving in South Carolina and there was little hope he would survive.
But he came off the ventilator, woke up and started talking, walking and knew the people around his hospital bed.
But after performing a heart cath, doctors discovered that he would need triple bypass open heart surgery.
Unfortunately he “coded” again shortly after they started the surgery and they were unable to do any surgical intervention.
On Saturday Mulitauaopele passed away.
His wife Eva wrote on her Face Book page, “My beloved husband Bishop Vaifanua Mulitauaopele is safely in the arms of His Lord. I am so thankful for all your prayers, love and support. My heart is hurting but I know where he is…in the arms of his Lord and Saviour Jesus whom he loved so much. Please keep our family in your prayers as we journey through this difficult time”.
Last month Bishop Vaifanua was in the KHJ studio talking about the status of the planned health center which Mission Ministries is planning to build at Lions Park.
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Our condolences to Mrs Mulitauaople and children for their loss.
