The family service for Utu Abe Malae last night at the Lee Auditorium brought together the community to celebrate the life of a man who has done so much in his lifetime not only for his family, government and territory, but also the Pacific region.
And speaker after speaker had a story to tell about how Utu influenced their lives, got them to return to the territory, his love for reading, his intellect, compassion, sense of service, and the list goes on. 
His passing was felt as far away as Washington. Congresswoman Aumua Amata delivered a message of condolence from President Donald Trump.
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The Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas passed a resolution in honor of Utu which was recited by the wife of Gerhard Sword, while Sword himself read an inscription from a plaque that was from the governor of the CNMI and a message from the Senate President of the commonwealth where Utu had served as Executive Director of the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation.
The Manager of the Water Division of the American Samoa Power Authority, William Spitzenberg, one of Utu’s many “adopted sons” reflected on Utu’s love for reading .
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One of Utu’s closest friends, Taulapapa Willie Sword, said Utu believed in sharing resources and knowledge with the region.
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Assistant CEO of the Samoa Electric Corporation Tupa’i Mau Simanu, said Utu initiated the buddy system between Pacific utilities and lamented that indeed the region has lost a visionary leader, one who makes things happen. 
Utu’s son Padilla said his Dad imparted on him the importance of education.
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Utu’s funeral service will be held tomorrow
