Events
Visitation
Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E 10600 S, Sandy, UT 84092Wednesday Mar 12, 2025 11:00 AM - 1:45 PM
Funeral Service
Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E 10600 S, Sandy, UT 84092Wednesday Mar 12, 2025 2:00 PM
Timani Tonga, a beloved son, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to many, passed away peacefully at home on March 6, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, service, and unwavering dedication to his family and community. Born on November 21, 1954, in the village of Kolomotua, Tonga, Timani embodied the spirit of his homeland throughout his extraordinary life—a spirit of resilience, generosity, and an unbreakable bond with those he cherished.
Timani’s journey started with his education in Tonga, where he attended Ngele’ia and Fatai Primary School before enrolling in his cherished Liahona High School. This institution instilled in him valuable life lessons and a lifelong passion for learning. In 1981, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University-Hawaii (BYUH), a significant milestone that paved the way for a fulfilling life. Shortly after, he returned to Tonga with his wife and their three older children, Verna, Joyce, and Via, where they welcomed five more children: the twins Beni and Timani, Vea, Merlin, and Sini, all born on Tongan soil.
Upon returning to Tonga, Timani embarked on a distinguished career, first with the church’s Presiding Bishopric Office, then at the International Dateline Hotel, and finally at the Bank of Tonga. Eventually, he left the corporate world to run a meat shop, where his entrepreneurial spirit truly shone. There, he employed many young adults, treating them as part of his own family and providing them with the same care and guidance he gave his children. His passion for helping youth extended beyond his shop—he took great pride in assisting young adults in pursuing education at BYUH, a cause that held great significance for him.
Timani’s life was enriched by service to his faith and community. He served as Bishop and counselor in the Stake Presidency, roles he fulfilled with humility and dedication. Yet, he often said his favorite calling was being a husband, dad and grandpa—titles he wore with unmatched devotion. His love for his family was matched only by his gift for lifting others through a kind word, a helping hand, or a shared laugh.
Timani leaves behind his devoted wife, Maniana, with whom he built a life grounded in love and faith. He was a proud father to his eight children: Verna Tukuafu (the late Sione Tukuafu), Joyce Tonga, Via Kefu (Tuifua), Beni Tonga (Devrie), D’monte Tonga, Vea Manumaleuna (Eathyn), the late Merlin, and Sini Vamanrav (Ram), brothers Afa (Langaola), Kingi (Celeste) and his only sister, Verna Bair (Brett). His heart swelled with joy as he became Grandpa to 16 adored grandchildren. He delighted in their energy, stories, and their boundless love. Timani was preceded in death by his beloved daughter Merlin, son-in-law Sione Tukuafu, his parents Motulalo and Lea-he-Ofa, his brother Palu Huaniumata and sister, Niuui, and his family finds solace knowing they are reunited in eternal embrace.
Timani’s memory lives on in the countless lives he touched—as an uncle who offered wisdom and humor, a friend whose loyalty knew no bounds, and a mentor to the young adults he inspired. Whether reminiscing about Tonga, working tirelessly for his family, or simply sitting in quiet contentment with loved ones, he brought light to every moment.
A celebration of Timani’s life will be held on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 11 a.m., with the service at 2 p.m. at the Larkin Sunset Gardens in Sandy, Utah. Family and friends will gather to honor this extraordinary man.
Rest well, dear dad and grandpa, Timani- son of Nuku’alofa, patriarch of a loving family, and a friend to all. Your legacy of love and service will endure forever.
Guestbook/Condolences
Rip Uncle Timani till we meet again tangata Angalelei lahi 😭
My dear Verma,
My deepest condolences to you and your family. Ofa'atu maupe
RIP Timani, ikai galo koe i heemau tupu hake heetau kei uooti i Tonga i heemau kei iiki. Oatu ofa lahi kia Maniana pehe kihe toega fanau. Fakatauage ke oatu ehe Tamai Hevani ha nonga moha fiemalie kiate kimoutolu i he taimi faigataa ni💐
Toka a ge nonga Timani moe ofa lahi atu Maniana moe fanau
Sending much love and Condolences to you Verna and the family. X
Oku mau ofa atu kiho famili Verna he taimi faingataa koeni sii mole hoo tamai tonunga mo faivelenga ni. Ofa atu kia koe mo hoo kii fanau May God comfort you and your sublings and give peace ro ur kids.
Ofa lahi atu
Vaipulu Family
Ofa atu Sii teu a hoo folau. Ofa atu ki he toenga o e famili. Folau a Timani. Till the glorious days
Ofa atu Simote Mapus children
Ofa lahi atu kihe fofonga oe Tamai koeni kae uma sii Uitou Maniana moe fanau moe fangamokopuna.
Toka a ihe nonga moe fiemalie .Tangata fofonga malimali mo
moui fiefia.
My brother- I will be misaing you especially your big smilling face. Thanks for raiaing me to bw the qoman I am today. Ofa atuu ki ho mata mo e fanau pwhe ki hw uitou. Hwikai keu i hena hono fakahekeheka hoo folau ko e ngaue mo e training ka teu feinga atu keu uma koate koe kimia pea u folau. Ofa atu Maniana mo e fanau paea ´
Dearest Tonga family, I pray for you all to have peace at this time of great loss. I remember Timani as a wonderful, approachable, happy man who always could lift my spirit and was a joy to be around. May he rest in peace and have a wonderful reunion with his loved ones. Much love to you all.
‘Ofa atu ki he uitou mo e sii toenga e famili.
Afi, Hotaia mo e fanau.
My deepest condolences to my cousins King , Verna and to my nieces and nephews and the rest of my Tonga family especially for Maniana the love of his love ! ❤️ 💕Love you all and know that he is in a better place now and we will get to see him again . Ofa lahi atu kihe famili hono kotoa til we meet again 🩷❤️❤️💕
ʻOatu e popoaki fie kaungamamahi kiate koe Maniana, Verna, Joyce moe toenga e famili he taimi faingataʻa ko ʻeni. Ko ha tangata angalelei mo fofonga malimali he taimi kotoa pe.
ʻofa atu
Palesiteni Latu & famili
'Oku ou 'ofa lahi atu Maniana, fanau pea moe toenga 'oe famili he malolo ho hoa 'ofa'anga Timani Tonga. He 'ikai ngalo homo 'ofa iate au. Ke tapuekina homou famili 'aki 'ae nonga moe fiemalie 'ihe taimi faingata'a ni.
My deepest Condolences 💐 to you and your family Joyce. My heart deeply shares the loss you feel in yours. His smile and Legacy with remain alive within all you kids and the light in your smiles. Kou ofa lahi atu ka kimoutolu Joyce and may God comfort your Moms heart and all of you! Ofa atu!
What a wonderful tribute to your dad. He was indeed the son of Nuku'alofa. He was my mentor, cousin, and great support. My condolences to Maniana and the children and grandchildren. Ofa lahi atu ma'u pe...
My dear Verna. My love goes out to you and your family at this time. I am blessed to learn more about your amazing dad as I read his life story but more than that, I get to continue to see him in you. I am thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the blessings of the temple. May your hearts be comforted and the Lord surround you with His love.
Mr. Tonga
You have left an Amazing Heritage of Great Children and a Wonderful Family. You will be Missed.
I remember Timani playing a lot with my brother Dick in their younger years in school. Timani has a lot of faith, very positive kid, thinks about others a lot. He reminds me that he is happy just like his mother. Timani will get the greatest blessings in the Eternal worlds. Congratulations! Lynda Philbrick
My dearest Aunty Maniana!
Sending all my love and prayers to you during this difficult time. I pray you find comfort in a plan that will reunite you with your ‘ofa’anga one sweet day. I wish I was close by to give you a hug. ‘Ofa lahi ‘atu.
Maniana Tonga mo e famili hono kotoa, fie oatu a e fie kaunga mamahi kiate Koe mo e famili hono kotoa he Taufa kuo to ho loto fale, ko hai tene lava k ko e Pule Ma'oni'oni a e Otua kuo hoko kii si'o Mali Ofa'anga. Ofa ke foaki atu h Nonga mo ha Fiemalie, oku ma'u ofa lahi atu
I had the privilege of being his neighbor for the past few years. He was a kind man and always so nice to me. Even though he was forgetting things he never forgot to love his neighbor as himself. I’ll miss leading you home, but as you go home I pray you’ll find peace in the presence of the Savior. Rest in peace my friend till I see you again.
Ki si’i Sister Maniana Tu’ikolovatu Tonga
Ikai ha lea feunga ke oatu aki homau Ofa kiate koe moe fanau.
Ko au eni Siale Kei I Missouri pe. Teu miss e faa eva mai a Timani peama feohi taimi Lahi. ❤️.
Koe ngaahi fepoupou aki he vahevahe ema fkmo’oni fklaumalie teu puke mo manatu kiai. 🙏. Ikai ha lea feunga ke fkha atu aki emau Ofa
Kae fktau ange ke tapuekina koe moe famili ehe Eiki lolotonga e taufa kuo to mai ho loto fale. Folau aa Timani hoku kaume’a mamae.
Ikai ngata ae ‘Ofa
Siale & ‘Aifa’i Vaka
Independence, Missouri
Sending our love and condolences to your family. We got to meet Timani in Independence MO. And was happy to see him again after so many years at my son’s baptism. He came with the Vaka family. Our thoughts and prayers for your family at this time of separation from earth. We know that some day you will all be together again and reunite with your loving father husband and brother. Timani was a great man of God I was happy to have know him. Ofa atu from the the Fuimaonos. Las Vegas NV.
Our deepest condolences to you all! So sorry to hear about your dear father Verna. Ofa atu! R.I.P Timani🫶 If you see my father and my brother please hug them really tight for me😭😭😭😭!
‘Ofa atu kiho fofonga Timani pea ke folau aa kihe ‘Api ko Hevani ‘o toka fiemalie he malumalu ‘o Satai. ‘Ikai ngalo e ngaahi ta’u na’a tau feohi ai he nofo ako ‘’i Hawaii. ‘Ofa lahi atu Maniana moe fanau moe makapuna. Kingi, ‘Afa m, Verna moe toenga e famili. Fakatauange ke foaki nonga moe fiemalie ‘ae ‘Otua ma’a kimoutolu lolotonga e taimi faingata’a’ ‘oe mavae.
Toka aa Timani he ‘ea hauhaufano ‘o ‘Itaniti 🙏❤️🙏❤️