In a eulogy, Mrs Fatialofa described how she wasn't able to go with him to the airport to say goodbye before he left for his last trip to Samoa.
But in typical Fats fashion, he had "cracked her up" with his text farewell, which read: "I don't know why I'm so shy to say goodbye to your eyes."
"Only Fats," she said. "I was cracking up."
Image 1 of 8: Samoan rugby legend Peter Fatialofa coffin is carried into the Vodafone Events Centre, Manukau, during his funeral on Wednesday. Photo / Brett Phibbs
"He'll tell them off but then 10 minutes later he's calling them to go for a ride with him or go to McDonald's or whatever."
He had talked about moving to Samoa one day, and was proud of his role as coach of the Samoan women's rugby team.
"He was so proud of you girls," she said.
Jeremiah, the oldest of his eight children, said his father was known as a great rugby player, a legend and a community man. "But to my brothers and sisters he was just dad," he said.
"He always went out of his way to help anybody, no matter who it was, and no matter what type of person you were, and it's overwhelming to see the people that are here to pay tribute," Jeremiah said.
"We didn't always like sharing dad with everybody, but dad was always someone who wouldn't say no."
The Manu Samoan flag is draped over Samoan rugby legend Peter Fatialofa's coffin during his funeral on Wednesday. Photo / Brett Phibbs
"He loved his rugby, his family, his mates, his country, and the Samoan people."
He said Fatialofa had bridged the gap between Samoan and New Zealand rugby, between Samoan and Maori rugby, and between Samoan and other Pacific Island rugby.
"To have thousands of people stand for a minute's silence while millions of people watched from around the world, and both Manu Samoa and the All Blacks dedicate their games last weekend to Papali'itele Fatialofa, reaffirmed what a special man Fats was."
"He wouldn't have been aware he was doing it but he most certainly was. He has brought us here again today as a city and as a nation. He made us laugh."
Earlier, conch shells were blown as Fatialofa's casket was carried into the events centre by his sons, nephews, brother and brother-in-law, followed by Anne and other family members.
