Filoimea Telito

Sir Filoimea Telito (19 March 1945 – 11 July 2011) was a Tuvaluan politician and religious figure who served as the governor-general of Tuvalu from 2005 to 2010, and also served as the president of the Church of Tuvalu until his death.

Governor-General of Tuvalu

On 15 April 2005 he took office as Governor-General of Tuvalu as the representative of Elizabeth II, Queen of Tuvalu. He stepped down in 2010. In January 2007, Telito was made a Knight Grand Cross of Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (GCMG) by Queen Elizabeth II. Herewith he resumed the practice by Governors-General of Tuvalu of accepting a knighthood, a practice discontinued on a personal basis by his predecessor to that office, Faimalaga Luka.

Death

He died on 11 July 2011 of a heart attack, and was buried in Funafuti three days later. All government activity ceased on the day of the funeral, in a sign of respect.