"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I ‚
I took the one less traveled by,
and that has made all the difference."
The life of each individual becomes a tapestry woven together and patterned after the choices and experiences of life\s journey. The tapestry of our Father\s Life, Lua\ilelupe Fa\ifa\imea Fa\alafua Auva\a, is a pattern of priority to God, Family and Community. How grateful we are for the threads woven into the 67 years of our Father\s life culminating in a beautiful tapestry.
Our Father, Lua'ilelupe Fa'ifa'imea Fa'alafua Auva'a, was born June 3, 1954 in Vavau Lotofaga Samoa to Savili Maaelopa of Sapunaoa Falealili and Manunu, Anoama'a and Luailelupe Neemia Loi Auva'a of Maasina Fagaloa and Vavau Lotofaga. Surrounded by his family at home, he returned to the arms of our loving Heavenly Father on March 4, 2019.
Our Father was a very proud Samoan man and in everything that he did, he sought to emulate the valuable life lessons learned as a boy. Daddy attended Aufaga and Sapunaoa Primary School and Avele Boys College. He transferred to the Church College of Western Samoa where he eventually graduated from high school. He excelled in high school and earned an academic scholarship to Brigham Young University Hawaii, graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science. Always a student wanting to improve, our father had many educational endeavors attending Western State University College of Law in San Diego, University of the South Pacific in Vanuatu, and Auckland University in New Zealand. From Utah State University Daddy graduated with a second Bachelors Degree in English, and a Master's Degree in English Literature.
Our Father was a man of faith. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He served as a missionary in the Apia Samoa mission where he was Assistant to President Peters. Later assignments included 1st Counselor to Bishop Unutoa in the first Samoan LDS Ward in Utah, Stake High Councilman, High Priest Group Leader, Gospel Doctrine Teacher, and Ordinance Worker in the Bountiful Temple for the Samoan language sessions. This calling held special meaning for him as he was instrumental in the creation of offering a Samoan language session for the Bountiful Temple. Up until he was physically unable to attend the temple and church services, our Father was always steadfast and faithful in fulfilling his callings.
Our Father was a teacher of all things. His method was simple. He taught by example, gave the best of himself, and treated others with kindness and respect. Over the years he has been described as, "the best teacher" a "passionate advocate" a "skillful orator" a "loving person" and the list could go on. Through the years he was given the opportunity to teach at the Junior High and High School level. His last teaching endeavor was at Salt Lake Community College where he is credited with the creation of the Pacific Studies program. From 2010 to 2011, Daddy served as President of the Church College of Western Samoa Alumni Association (CCWS).While our Father enjoyed being an educator, one of his true passions in life was the sport of rugby. Our father loved playing the game of rugby as well as officiating. For a time he served as Vice President of the Hawaii Rugby Association where he trained referees and represented the region internationally. But most of all, when it comes to the game of rugby, our Father was known endearingly to many as "Coach". From his first coaching stint at Church College of Western Samoa to Salt Lake International Rugby, the relationships forged with the many young men he came across was a joy for our Father.
Our Father had a big heart and his family was the keeper of it. Of all the titles he earned Husband, Father, and Grandpa, is what we are most grateful for. Your influence cannot adequately be measured but will forever be evident in the lives of eight grateful children and the posterity of twenty-two grandchildren. We will think of you, Daddy, every time we watch Manu Samoa play, whenever we hear Falealili, sing Lo Ta Nu'u, munch on fig newtons and funions or come across Shakespeare. So often you would say, "Fa'amalosi mai" reminding us that we can do hard things. Your loss, above all, has been the hardest.
Our Father is survived by his eternal companion, Rita Joan Hunt, his siblings Fa'aleagaiga Malo, and Savili Mamea, his eight children Serafi (Gil), Charlie (Teisa), Tui (Teresa), Leata (Steven), Luisa (Sioeli), Ituau (Ezra), Robin (Louis) and Pina (Fehi), and his twenty-two (and counting) grandchildren: Jeremiah, Rita, Tui, Kingston, Kawika, Tovah, Tai, Tobias, Asenahana, Eleitino, Serafi, Fakatakatu, Rita Joan, Henele, Sale, Orianna, Talia, Savili, Ezra, Thomas, Tavita, and Fa'alafua.
E le lava ni upu e fa'amatala atu lo matou alofa ma agaga fa'afetai mo lou fa'atinoina ma le atoatoa le tiute a se tama. E moni lava le tala-E ui ina timu e le magalo ai le sami. O le a matou misia lava oe. Ia manuia lava lou malaga, Daddy.
Funeral services for our Father will be held Monday, March 11, 2019 at 11am at the NSL Parkway Stake Center located at 55 E. 350 N. North Salt Lake, Utah. A final viewing will be held that morning from 9 to 10:45 am. A family service will be held Sunday evening March 10th from 5pm to 8pm at the same location.
