Masao Nakayama 1941-2011
We join the nation of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) in mourning the untimely passing of FSM’s Ambassador to the United Nations, His Excellency Masao Nakayama who passed away last night in Nevada where he has been hospitalized since he suffered a major stroke a few months ago. Papa Mas was survived by his wife, seven children and numerous grandchildren many of whom were at his side when he passed away peacefully leaving behind a mourning nation. For those of us who had the privilege of knowing him personally, Mas leaves us a legacy of public service for which we can aspire to carry on. His humility and wisdom were unmatched; his voice in the global community on climate change will be forever remembered and his love for his family inspiring. May you rest in the Lord’s peace, Mas.
Masao was born in 1941 to a Japanese father and a Chuukese mother from Onoun. He is the younger brother of Tosiwo Nakayama, the first president of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). Before his untimely death, Mas (as he was affectionately called by his close friends) has been serving as the Permanent Representative of the FSM to the United Nations since March 13, 1998.
Previously, Masao served as Resident Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of FSM to Japan from 1989 to 1997. During the same time, he also served as the non-Resident Ambassador to China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Republic of South Korea and Singapore.
Masao’s years in the diplomatic corps began when he served as Assistant Chief of Training and later as Chief of Training in the Department of Personnel at the Office of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands in Saipan from 1974 to 1979. He later served for nine years (1980-1989) as the Chief of International Affairs in the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Masao entered public service in 1965 when he was Assistant Legislative Clerk in the Truk District Legislature before serving as a member of the Truk (now Chuuk State) District Legislature in 1968. In 1969 he was elected to the Congress of Micronesia which is now the Congress of the Federated States of Micronesia.
Prior to his many years of public service to the FSM, Masao was a teacher in 1961 at the Truk District Intermediate and High School before moving to government service in 1965. He attended the Pacific Islands Central School (1958 – 1961), the University of the Philippines (1963 -1965), and the College of Guam (1961-1963).
Sources & Suggested Links:
– Masao on ABC World News Report “On Nature’s Edge”: http://abcnews.go.com/abcnewsnow/NaturesEdge/
– More on the ABC World News Interview: http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/natures-edge-island-nations-plea-9304782
– Download Masao’s 2008 Testimony on Climate Change: http://www.trunity.net/rngo/resources/view/143270/
– Another testimony on Climate Change: http://www.evri.com/media
–The Washington Diplomat – www.washdiplomat.com
I bid you farewell, with the greatest respect, and thank you for all that you have done for myself, my children and my children’s children. You have indeed, made a difference! My sincere condolences to Mrs. Nakayama and your children, the state of Chuuk and to the whole F.S.M. nation.
One of the nation’s greatest that will be missed, we should be thankful for his service and pray for his departure. My sincere condolences to the family, friends and the FSM as well.
R.I.P…..Papa Masao…..Your family loves you!!From your grand-nephew!!Ai Tong Ngonuk!Forever In Our Hearts!
Ach kapongen chuupwun ngeni chochoon ach family non unusen Chuuk me fanapi meinisin. Sipwe achocho iotek ran itemi pwe ewe nguun mi fen epwe eti kemi non fansoun ami netip-eta.
Papa Masao, I’m thankful for all the times we’ve spent together cherishing memories and making everyday worth a lifetiming smile. May you rest peacefully in God’s hands along with Mamachi. I will help carry on what you have started with our home and pass it on from generation to generation. Ai tong ngonuk fiti pos. May you wait for the rest of us there! 🙂
I use to remember the special times i Spent with Grandpa too!!!.. May he Rest in peace……..
And Know that he is in better hands.
Rest In Peace uncle Mesao…thank you for all the supports you’ve done with us back in NY…You will be missed and forever remembered in our heart….
REST IN PEACE PAPA MASAO. THANKYOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT AND WE LOVE AND WELL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU DORI MUJUN MANAWEM….WAIOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
I had the privilege of meeting the late Masauo Nakayama on his brief visits to CT, Yonkers and our visit to NY….a very humble man and intelligent, wise leader of our nation. You will be greatly missed.
My condolences to the family of Mr. M.Nakayama.I join you in morning for your loving father. He is one of the great leaders in Micronesia to whom I made his acquaintance. He has the kindest heart that I know. May soul rest in peace.
Rest in Peace Hon. Masao. I would like to join all the others to pay my respect and deepest appreciation. Your guidances to me during my ealry years with the National Government during the early 1980’s to 1990’s will forever be part of my life. The work we’ve done together as part of our nation building may not be recognized by others, but God knows what you have done for so many. May the peace of the Lord guides your family during this very challenging and difficult times. Rest in Peace
Our sincere condolences to Mrs. Nakayama & family. He was a fine man & his absence will be felt by many. May there be comfort in knowing that someone so special will never be forgotten. May it comfort you to know that your loved one is safe in God’s care now & we are praying for you in your time of sorrow.
KINISOU CHAPUR REN UNUSEN SOKOPATEN OM FANGENO ME PEKUS KICH, KAPACHENONG UNUSEN CHUUK ATOURA NGENI FSM ME EKIS MEINISIN KA ANGANGA IAN, ENLETIN SUFON ME MENIN KINISOU CHAPUR. ENLETIN GOD EPWE AFEIOCHUK, TORI OM FAMILY, ETERENGES ME MEINISIN. ASOSO EN NON KINAMWEN ACH WE CHON AMANAW.
He will be missed to the marcus family, The journey star out from navy hill saipan, During trust territory time. rest in peace, he will be rember in my heart
The untimely passing of His Excellency, Ambassador Masao Nakayma is indeed a great loss for the FSM. His contributions to our contuinuing efforts of builidng our nation will be forever missed, although they will become his enduring legacy as a consummate diplomat, dedicated public servant, and more importantly a very humble and honest gentleman. I am glad I had the opportunity to work him. I know I will miss very much his intelligence and friendship.
Our prayers to the wife, children, grand-children and family in your time of mourning. We want to join all the rest and wish our dear Ambassador Nakayama everlasting peace and comfort.
Ai tong ngonuk semwei mi unusen ouchea me non netipei…. kinisou ren mettoch meinisin….. pwan fokkun ai kapong me tong ngeni family meinisin… May u rest in peace Uncle…. and god bless…..
Sipwe chok kilisou ngeni kot ren metoch meinisin afis. Kot a foruk lon pwisin unnunun. Kot apwal ngonuk omw pochokul me tipachem pwe kopwe emweni ew nation mi mesechun. Iei popun upwe tongeni apasa pwe kot apwal amolata leniomw lon lang…rest in peace uncle masao nakayama
Ese wor met sakkun porous me kapas sipwe tongeni apasa epwe fich ngeni an epwe safeni netipach non ei fansoun. Ei fansoun kich mi nichipung, noninen, me chupun mi forata chechin netip, weiresin non inisich,me nikapwingawen miritin ekiek pwe usun ita nge ew chok ttan ei a fis ngenikich pun tipach sise mo moneta ngeni met ei a fis ikenai. Amo sipwe pwan weweiti tipen God. Fan iten ai we kukun aterenges noun Kiman me Onoka upwe chok apasa am watten kinisou ren omw Mas ennetin tongei kem , tumunukem, me fangefangeoch.Ese wor io epwe tongeni siwini me tongeni omw tongeni. Omw mirit, tong, tipepos, nikitu ka awora ngenikem seni fansoun nangattam. Nerasen omw angangen tong ngenikem a fen nomw non ngasangasem me nom non tupuwem. Omw mokutun tong esap chok ngenikem pwe mi pwan tori am we watten aterenges non Mechitiw, tori aramas en Chuuk me FSM. En mi itefouno ren omw nipwakoch ngeni tumunun manawen nonomun aramas, me fonu. Non ei fansoun ka uwei senikem am pochokun seni semirt tori watte, Am tong ngonuk esap much nge amo ausipwe pwan chusefan usun chok kan ach chufengen non ach ei kukun aterenges. Your soft voice, your appearance, is always there. Amo ewe chenin God me chiechien ngunmifel epwe emwenuk non omw ei sai. Tong esap much.
Rip, papa’
With greatest respect, thank you for all you have done for our Country. You will be missed. My condolences to the family.
My family and I would like to extend our deepest heartfelt sympathy on the loss of our beloved father and greatest Ambassador of our country; Uncle Masao Nakayama. He was a true inspiration to all of us Micronesians and the people who knew him. He was greatly a well-respected Ambassador of our country. Uncle Masao was such a kind, humble, and compassionate person who did so much for the people of Micronesia. I was very shocked to hear of his passing that I cried and envy myself for not visiting him while in Las Vegas last summer. I am so very sorry. One of my fondest memories of our beloved father is all the help he gave me and my family when we stopped in New York of 2003 that I’ll never forget the act of extreme kindness and tremendous help from him and his beloved wife. I knew that life will not be the same without him for all of us. Aunty Serly, Mercy, Merly, Atson, John, and JJ please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this tragic time of sorrow. Ai Kot kose mochen ngeni semem ei ewe kinamwe me ewe saram epwe fiti tori neniomw we mi ning. RIP dear Ambassador Nakayama.
In Deep Sympathy,
Berlyn B Alokoa and family
I use to remember those special time with papa…and mama use tongeni ai upwe monuki…thanks papa for everything miss and love you.
Rest in Peace, you will be missed! My condolences to family.
Thank you bro Mas for everything, i will forever miss you in this life time and Our Nation will be forever in your death.
Ach tong ngonuk Mas, esap fakkun much me wes.RIP.