Members of the Cook Island community residing in Samoa are still mourning the loss of Sir Thomas Davis former Prime Minister and an influential figure in the Cook Islands. Nanette Woonton a Cook Islander currently residing in Samoa and former Cook Islands Television News Director with the Pitt Media, has many fond and cherished memories of Sir Thomas.

“The Cook Islanders here in Samoa are saddened by the passing of such a great man who led an eventful life. Although he was Sir Thomas Davis to the international community, for many of us he was our very own Papa Tom who always had time for many locals. He came from Island roots that many of us Pacific Islanders can relate to, yet worked hard and his achievements are an inspiration to many Cook Islanders to strive for excellence. We were all stunned by his passing because somehow Papa Tom had become a Cook Islands Champion and we just took it for granted that he would always be around.”

Wontoon says she speaks for all of the Cook Island people when she says he was a great individual.

She has many fond memories of Sir Thomas to reminisce upon particularly when she was working for the Pitt Media Group- she says she interviewed him a number of times during her years with PMG and she was always astounded by how articulate, intelligent, resourceful and astute ‘Papa Tom’ was.

She vividly recalls a time during an interview at his home when a huge pig walked past and stopped to rummage through his garden right next to them.

She says that somehow, one way or another a half hour interview could last up to two hours as she would learn about different chapters of his life each time.

She adds that often they had to stop and change tapes during interviews as he would tell her his life story, slipping in little lessons for her along the way.

She says several times it was ‘Papa Tom’ who instigated a number of interviews because he showed concern as a Doctor and a Cook Islander for his people, he wanted to share ways where fellow Cook Islanders could do well in life and how they could apply them selves so they all enjoy an excellent standard of living.

Luna Paul a businesswoman whom is a Cook Islander married to a Samoan also agrees that he was definitely a great man.

She also remembers having him on her balcony for a chat when he brought the Pakitimu Crew to Samoa to bring Vakas (canoes) and says he was a wonderful man.

Nanette says, to her “Papa Tom was a Cook Islander for whom the Pacific could be proud of. He will definitely be missed.

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