Tongan patriarch Joe Tu'ilatai Mataele (84) passes away [1]
Friday, September 4, 2009 - 07:15. Updated on Sunday, December 15, 2013 - 15:54.
A well-known Tongan patriarch Joe (Siosaia) Tu'ilatai Mataele (84), died on Thursday, August 20 at Vaiola Hospital and was laid to rest on Saturday, August 29 at the seafront Mala'e'aloa Cemetery, Kolomotu'a, Nuku'alofa.
Joe, a former parliamentarian and businessman, is survived by his wife 'Aiona and 24 of his 29 children from three marriages and other relationships, and their very large extended family.
During his career he was appointed as chairman of the first Tonga family planning organisation.
Joe's 'apo or night of mourning, was held at his home 'Api ko Lofanitani in Kolomotu'a on Friday night, August 28, with a funeral service on Saturday morning at the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints at Kolomotu'a.
Joe is survived by his wife, 'Aiona Saluni Mataele and six of their seven children.
'Aiona said that Joe also had many children from his first two marriages. With his first wife, 'Alisi Brown, seven of their ten children survive, including the youngest - a well-known entertainer - Joey, who was still a baby when his mother passed away.
In his second marriage with Laura 'Alipate, there were four children, of whom three survive.
'Aiona said that Joe also had eight illegitimate children, all of whom are living overseas.