Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Mick McCuddin, 91, passed away on May 28, 2025, in Sacramento, CA where he had been receiving treatment for cancer at the Sacramento VA Medical Center since 2024.

Mick served the American Samoa Government for more than 40 years as the Director of Public Health, acting hospital administrator, as well as in many other capacities at the LBJ hospital.

Mick had a Bachelor’s Degree in Pre Med studies from the University of Washington as well as a Master’s Degree in Public Health Planning from the University of Hawaii Manoa.

He served as a special advisor to numerous governors over many years on the issues of public health and medical issues that caused suffering in the territory. Because of his love and care for the people of American Samoa, he founded the three existing health centers located in Tafuna, Leone and Amouli. He researched and published a highly regarded book on ancient and traditional Samoan medicines and treatments.

In the late 1970s Mick provided an invaluable service to the people of American Samoa that continues through today. The Director of the Social Security Office contacted Mick to assist him in upgrading access to the benefits available to the territory’s Social Security recipients. Through the hospital, Mick purchased the medical testing equipment needed by the Social Security office to properly evaluate the diseases and incapacities of sick and ailing senior citizens needed to secure monthly benefits under the Social Security Disability program. Mick’s efforts in bringing this medical equipment to the hospital made it possible for seniors not to have to travel to Honolulu to be properly evaluated for eligibility to the Social Security Disability program.

Mick McCuddin sailed into Pago Pago harbor in 1963 on a sailboat he had rebuilt himself in the backyard of his home in Seattle, Washington. He sailed from Seattle to the Marquesas Islands then to Papeete, Tahiti with a friend. After living in both the Marquesas and Tahiti for a few months, Mick wanted to sail on to American Samoa. His friend decided he wanted to remain in Tahiti, so Mick sailed on to Pago Pago by himself. He loved it so much he remained in American Samoa for over 60 years.

As a lifelong sailor, Mick taught himself celestial navigation and studied ancient Polynesian navigation and sea voyaging throughout his life. He was a founding member of the American Samoa Voyaging Society. He built a traditional Samoan alia at his home in Vaitogi and sailed it to Manu’a and Upolu numerous times. He was an expert spear fisherman, diver and golfer.

The McCuddin family is from the village of Vaitogi.

In his retirement Mick continued his interest in sailing and Polynesian navigation. At his home in Vaitogi he was surrounded by his wife, his daughters and grandchildren.

Mick is survived by his wife of 61 years Salalaupepa “Pata” McCuddin of Amouli, and their four daughters, Melody Boyd, Bonnie McCuddin, Oliana Shimasaki, and Penina Steffany, nine grandchildren and one great grandchild.