Senate passes Concurrent Resolution offering its condolences to the family of First Lady Ella Mauga

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Senate yesterday, July 11, 2023, passed a Concurrent Resolution offering its condolences to the family of former Senator Gaea Perefoti Failautusi, who passed away last month.

He served one four-year term as a Senator for the Tualauta District; and he is also a former ASG Treasurer.

Gaea is the father of First Lady, Ella Failautusi Mauga.

Introduced by Senator Magalei Logovii and Senator Fonoti Tafa’ifa Aufata, the Senate President Tuaolo M. Fruean, announced, “the concurrent resolution has been … passed and accepted.”

This concurrent Resolution conveys the deepest condolences of the Legislature on behalf of the people of American Samoa to the children and bereaved Gaea and Failautusi families on the passing of Former Senator Gaea Perefoti Failautusi and pays tribute to his honorable and extensive service to his family, district, and the territory of American Samoa.

According to Senate resolution, Gaea Perefoti Failautusi was born on July 4, 1939 to parents Failautusi Sifea Gaea of Vaitogi and Manu’a and Tuipine Tufono of Aunu’u and Fagatogo. 

Raised in his home village of Vaitogi, Gaea attended Le’ala Jr. High and the High School of American Samoa and graduated in 1961. He attended ASCC, graduating with a dual major in Accounting and Business Administration in 1983. He was working in the ASG Audit Department while attending college.

Gaea began his career  with ASG in 1961. It was during Governor Togiola Tulafono’s Administration in 2008, that Gaea was appointed as Treasurer for 2 years before being reassigned as the Internal Auditor for the Department of Treasury from 2009 to 2012.

He served as Senator of the Tualauta District in 1995 during the 24th Legislature.

Gaea has served as a member of various government committees, including the Retirement Fund Committee.

He was a member of the Congregational Christian Church of American Samoa (CCCAS) Vaitogi, “Vaipuna o le Upu Moni” Church.  He received his Deaconship in 1976 and was of service to his church in this capacity until his passing.  He also was the Secretary for the Congregation among many other roles that he held.

For leisure, Gaea would enjoy his time fishing, playing crickets golf and especially playing his guitar.  He doted on his children and grandchildren ad would assist them with their accounting homework.

He is remembered as a kind and humble servant who was not afraid to speak what he believes in. He will be missed by his family, church and community.

Former Senator Gaea Perefoti Failautusi is survived by his 15 children, 44 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.