Former Methodist Church in Fiji president Reverend Tomasi Kanailagi was laid to rest at Viwa Village in Bau yesterday.

He was 79 years old at the time of his passing on June 14.

His legacy was remembered with lights during funeral rites at the Centenary Methodist Church in Suva.   

His daughter, Elesi Kanailagi, said her dad was a loving, open and a generous person.

“Coming from hard circumstances when he was growing up moulded him into the person he became,” she said.

Grief in such circumstances is unavoidable, however Ms Kanailagi said she cried tears of joy when she heard that her dad was no more.

“I cried tears of joy because I was blessed to be able to call him my father,” she said.

Ms Kanailagi said her father always inspired her to put God first in her life.

She has now come to terms with his loss and thanks God that her late dad managed to live life to the fullest.

Va O’Brien – his wife’s niece described the late Reverend Kanailagi as a humble man who had always mentored her.

“He was a father to everyone,” she said.

Reverend Kanailagi had served as a preacher for 47 years and had devoted his entire life to God.

It was in 1960 when he started as a bible school teacher.

His life had then revolved around managing various roles including that of a theologian, general secretary and then president of the Methodist Church during the years of 1999-2001.

In his eulogy, Methodist Church in Fiji president, Reverend Epeneri Vakadewavosa reflected on the late Rev Kanailagi’s  life and faith in God.

Reverend Vakadewavosa described him as a hardworking person who never missed any church service.

He exuded an air of hope, one that is centred on putting one’s life towards the service of God, which could be passed on to the coming generations.

Edited by Percy Kean

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