THE last post played on the bugle as Fiji Warriors tighthead prop Iosefo Bele was laid to rest yesterday at the Nasinu Cemetry.
The haunting sound of the bugle filled the cemetery as tears were shed in a very emotionally and stirring funeral.
Earlier friends and family members gathered at the Laucala Catholic Parish for the final church service. As eulogies were read out, tears could not be held back.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, the Fiji Warriors squad, Fiji Rugby Union chairman Filimoni Waqabaca and rugby house staff members were in attendance as well.
Marica Tabalala said the family had come to accept the fact that Bele was no longer among them.
“My son lived his life and I am not sad knowing that he had lived his dream of being a rugby player for Fiji,” she said.
“I will miss him but I know that he would be smiling down on me from heaven.”
Also in attendance were Bele’s friends from the Brothers Rugby Club. One person in particular, Lachlan Creighton did not hold back his emotions.
Creighton and Bele had been flatmates and were living together for the last four years.
“I refused to believe that Bellsy was gone. He was a great friend. You ask him for any favours, he would not say no. He had brought a little bit of Fiji to us,” Creighton said.
“He was really genuine and conscientious and always had time for his friends. Everyone loved Belsy for his smile and generosity.”
The 32-year-old failed to wake up from his sleep at his hotel camp at the Southern Cross on Saturday March 21 in Suva.
Tabalala was selected to be in the Telecom Fiji Warriors team after a rigorous selection process and was based in Brisbane, Australia playing for the Brothers Club.
He is from Yaudigi Village, Dogoru, Macuata and has maternal links to Cikobia in Macuata.
Bele started his rugby career with the University of the South Pacific team in 2005.
