RATU TOMU DAIMANI VUNAKECE

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1948-2008
San Rafael, CA — Ratu Tomu Vunakece, Senior Pastoral Assistant for the Fijian Ministry of San Rafael First United Methodist Church died peacefully around 3.30am at the Marin General Hospital, Green Brae, on 11th October 2008 after a long illness. He was 60 years old and a resident of San Rafael, California.

Mr. Vunakece who came to the US in 1998 was a distinguished religious community worker in the San Rafael Fijian community over the last ten years. His love for community work here in San Rafael, particularly amongst the youth and the homeless, extends all the way back to his country of birth, Fiji.

Together with his wife, Alena, they contributed towards the development of youth programs for the newly established Raiwai & Raiwaqa Youth Centers in the early 70s. Raiwai and Raiwaqa was a key area for low-income housing to cater to the increased urban drift into Fiji’s Capital, Suva. This became a focal point of government urban development work during the 70’s.One of the key objectives of the youth center projects that both Tomu and Alena Vunakece were involved in Raiwai and Raiwaqa, was to help provide vision and direction for the youths, a directive by the Government Ministry of Youth where he worked as a career civil servant. He also served as Executive Secretary for the Fiji National Youth Council from 1979 to 1998. During this term, he visited countries like India, Malaysia and New Zealand to name a few, to study and review government youth programs in these countries and look at applications that could work in Fiji.

Mr. Vunakece is the eldest of six children of the late Ratu Isikeli Cawanikawai Rayawa of Nabudrau, Noco, Rewa and the late Bulou Dradra of Levuka, Nabukelevu, Kadavu. He was educated at Ratu Sukuna Memorial School in Suva Fiji. In 1975, he completed his diploma in community welfare work at the Commonwealth Institute, Charndigarh, India. He undertook further studies at the Australia National University, Canberra, Australia in 1982, majoring in psychology.
He will be missed as a gentleman, a role model, and a person who has contributed much to helping many, in understanding and respecting people regardless of race, color or creed.
For those who were privileged to know him at San Rafael First United Methodist Church, he will also be remembered as a dear friend with a big heart. This show of openness on his part extended to befriending a number of homeless people of different races in the San Rafael area who freely came to his home for ‘advice’ over a meal. This gave him an opportunity to share the good news of the gospel.

Mr. Vunakece is survived by his wife, Alena, three sons, and two grandchildren.

MAY GOD REST HIM IN PEACE.