An emotional farewell was given on Friday by former Health Minister Dr Isimeli Cokanasiga for maritime cadet 22-year-old grandson Viliame Uluinaceva.

“Every year I always visit Tuvili on his birthdays and he always makes it a point to be with me during my birthday but now it’s no more,” he said.

Dr Cokanasiga was giving his eulogy at the funeral service at the Samabula East Methodist Church before Mr Uluinaceva’s body was laid to rest at the Nasinu Cemetery.

“When I went to the hospital to say my last goodbye, I thanked my grandson Tuvili for the 22 years he has spent with us,” he said.

Dr Cokansasiga said after Mr Uluinaceva completed his Fiji School Leaving Certificate Examination at Queen Victoria School, he pursued his career at the Fiji Maritime Academy and was on the verge of completing his studies.

Speaking for Patterson Brothers Shipping Limited, David Patterson, said Mr Uluinaceva first joined the shipping agency as an observer and after four months he decided to become a seafarer.

Mr Patterson said Mr Uluinaceva had a big heart and was well liked by the officers and crew of the vessels he had worked in.

Also passing his condolences from Sydney, Australia was Australian National Rugby League’s Penrith Panthers forward, Viliame Kikau who was in the same class with Mr Uluinaceva at QVS.

Mr Uluinaceva died on Monday, July 31, at the Labasa Hospital from serious leg injuries after his leg got caught in a rope while serving as a deck hand for the inter-island ferry MV Spirit of Love at the Nabouwalu wharf in Bua.

He was rushed to the Nabouwalu Sub-divisional Hospital before he was transferred to the Labasa Hospital where he died.