Makolei church service honours Vulai, Ratocoko

Villagers, families also prepare feast for the two missing fishermen.

Amass to remember missing fishermen Losio Vulai, 70, and Emeri Ratucoko, 58, was held yesterday at Makolei Village. Officiating at the mass were Father Luke Nalau from Vatukoula and Farther Ilisoni Kolikoli of the Immaculate Conception Parish, Solevu. The service was followed by a feast organised on their behalf. Speaking from Makolei yesterday family spokesperson Mikaele Limo said they had organised the feast be

cause the search for them was called off.

“We believe the two are dead because the search for them was futile,” he said.

Nanise Noela, the grieving wife of Mr Vulai said she had accepted the untimely death of her loving husband.

She said she had stopped him from going fishing because of the bad weather, but he refused listen. Ms Noela said she was happy that the family had organised a feast to remember her husband and his cousin Ratucoko.

“They were close, and would always go out fishing together,” she said.

“I really miss my loving husband and Ratucoko.” Likoria Bativonu said he had tried to stop his father too, but he continued on with his plan.

He said his father and Ratucoko wanted to go out fishing to provide for their family feast.

“Now that my father is not here I will continue to look after my mother and the family,” Mr Bativonu said.

“My father cared for everyone and was a family. I really miss him,” he said.

He thanked the family for organising a remembrance feast for them. Mr Bativonu said family members and relatives from Suva were also at Makolei to be part of the service and feast.