Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Lewis Joel Wolman passed away peacefully at home in Boulder, Colorado, on Saturday, July 25, 2026, with his family by his side.

Lewis was born November 20, 1957, in Madison, Wisconsin, to Joseph "Murphy" Martin Wolman and Anne Wolman. The youngest of 5 siblings, he grew up around the newspaper business, which instilled a curiosity and passion for the news, public issues, reading, community, service, and lifting people and places.

He graduated from West High School in Madison in 1974 at 17 years old. After one year of school at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he headed out west to the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he graduated with a degree in Environmental Planning.

He eventually got a job as a Program Officer in the U.S. Office of Coastal Management, which took him to American Samoa, where he would spend the better part of the next 40 years.

In American Samoa, he built a wonderful life and career. He met his wife, Eletise Matagi, raised four children (Tavie, Jessica, Homer, Iopa), and held many leadership positions in both the private and public sectors.

He was perhaps most recognizable for his work as the publisher and editor of the Samoa News for 20 years, where he worked tirelessly to keep the people informed of the issues that mattered most to the people of American Samoa.

His career after Samoa News included, but was not limited to, Country Manager of Bluesky Communications, CEO of ASTCA, President of the American Samoa Chamber of Commerce, CEO of the GHC Reid Group, and Special Advisor to the Governor of American Samoa. He loved to work.

While his work kept him busy, Lewis still made his family a priority. He took the time to listen, ask thoughtful questions, got to know you on a deeper level, and found quiet ways to show you he cared.

He loved a good bike ride, walk, traveling, tennis, the arts, funky dancing, and was a voracious reader and writer.

Samoa News management and staff send love and condolences to his wife, Eletise Matagi Wolman; children: Tavie, Jessica, Homer, Iopa; and his sisters Nicky and Ruth; and his 14 grandchildren: Emelia, Ma'ata, Lewy, Fatu, Eden, AJ, Tali, Tunoa, Sina, Vao, Fin, Moana, Murphy, Talia; and many nieces and nephews.

His celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse on 4655 Table Mesa Dr., Boulder, CO.