Bill Marsters Obituary, Death – Prime Minister Mark Brown and the entire staff at the Office of The Prime Minister extend their deepest condolences to the family of the late Palmerston Mayor, Bill Tuakana Marsters, who peacefully passed away at Auckland’s Middlemore Hospital on September 30th.
Bill Marsters, who served as the Palmerston Island fisheries officer from the mid-1980s until 2018, was a dedicated member of the Akakaingaro family and the island council from the early 2000s, before assuming the role of mayor in 2021. His commitment to both the Cook Islands and his beloved community of Palmerston is deeply appreciated.
Born in 1950, Bill Marsters was a fourth-generation descendant of the island’s founder, William Marsters. He embodied the spirit of Palmerston, known for his remarkable generosity and exceptional hospitality, which touched the lives of countless visitors to the island over the years.
In recent times, Bill’s health had been a concern, leading to his evacuation to Aitutaki by the research vessel Anuanua Moana in early September. He was subsequently transported to Rarotonga and then to New Zealand, where he received palliative care at Middlemore Hospital. In his final moments, Bill was surrounded by his loving family, ensuring his comfort and peace.
Plans are underway to bring Bill Marsters back to Rarotonga and, ultimately, his final resting place on Palmerston Island in the family burial plot alongside his parents, Tuakana and Inano Marsters. Additionally, a family service will be held at Marsters House in Rarotonga once arrangements have been finalized. Bill Tuakana Marsters leaves behind a lasting legacy of service, kindness, and dedication to his community, and he will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
