WelCom August 2024
Michael Fitzsimons
A huge gathering assembled at St Patrick’s College Wellington Assembly Hall last month to farewell much-loved and respected First XV rugby coach, Willie Leota.
At the funeral, many speakers paid tribute to Willie as a much-loved family man who gave generously to his community, a man of great mana, a natural leader and a loyal friend. The very large gathering was a testament to the many communities he belonged to and the multitude of lives he has influenced.
The 46-year-old had a long affiliation with St Pat’s, having been an old boy of the college before going on to help the school’s sporting staff with his involvement in rugby. College spokesman Matt Buck said that there had been an ‘outpouring of grief’ when the news broke that Willie had died suddenly of a heart attack.
‘It’s been a massive shock – not to just lose the First XV coach, but to lose an old boy of the college and someone who spent half his life as part of our community. He had a huge impact on the team.’
Willie passed away during the mid-year school holidays. St Pat’s opened up the school to allow the school community to come together and grieve.
Several days before the funeral, the school held a service to mourn Willie’s passing, with students and alumni gathering to recognise his legacy. Rector Mike Savali spoke at the service, recognising Willie for his ‘loyalty and dedication to service, not just to our community but to the wider community. He always wanted the best to improve the skills of our young men, but more importantly, he wanted them to be good men.’
Willie’s wife, Frances, told the students that St Pat’s was ‘one of his many homes’.
His long hours working and coaching had meant he missed dinners at home, but the family didn’t mind because they knew the joy that coaching brought to him, she said.
‘We knew he was spending time meaningfully with friends, with brothers…He loved seeing the light in your eyes.’ She asked the students, going forward, ‘to honour him with the values he’s tried to pass on’.
He leaves behind four children – Moana, Mollie, Billie-Rose and Solomon and a large extended family.
