Sapati Tevaga Ta'afuli

St. George, Utah- Sapati Tevaga Ta’afuli, 68 went to be with our Lord Thursday November 21, 2019. Sapati was born April 8, 1951 in Lefaga to Faivaofitiialilo Levi Fa’alaulau and Arona Ta’afuli Malaeulu. Sapati Married Lemalasia Lemauga Jan 05, 1973 in Amanave, American Samoa. And, later sealed the deal for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles temple March 12, 1977.

Sapati grew up in the beautiful village of Saafatoa Lefaga where he was taught important life skills including fishing, plantation, and underground cooking. His favorite childhood past time was playing marbles. His first job was for Starkist in American Samoa. Shortly after he moved to California and worked as a maintenance worker at Loma Linda Hospital for 9 years. Other jobs were Chef, Welder at Alliance for 13 years, and Coolant repairer for 2 years before he took an early retirement. He was baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Islands. He was a faithful servant and held several callings such as First Counselor in the Inland Empire Samoan Ward. Sunday School class president in the Bloomington 9th Samoan Ward. His best work & legacy was in his home. Although his home was always full of his own children, He always made room for one more.

He is survived by Lemalasia Lemauga, 72 -St. George, UT. (Son- deceased) Gary Sapati Ta’afuli married to Faleula Vi Ta’afuli. Grandchildren- Sapati Gary Ta’afuli married to Falesita Ta’afuli, Mateialona Goliath Ta’afuli, Tarsha Laura Ta’afuli, Mana’o Arona Ta’afuli. (Son) Thomas Matthew Ta’afuli married to Losei Peseta Ta’afuli. Grandchildren- Chrissa Valentina Ta’afuli, Kalena Elijah Ta’afuli, Lemareta Sharon Ta’afuli, Isaleni Julia Ta’afuli, Sione Andrew Otuafi. (Daughter) Judith Pandora Ta’afuli married to Sidney Kidney. Grandchildren- Loleniece Lemalasia Ta’afuli. Great-grand daughter- Loleniece Lemalasia Kennedy, Sidney Kennedy Jr., Samson Tuipelehake Kennedy. (Daughter) Tarsha Maloa Ta’afuli married to Philip Laufoe Elemile (Son in law- deceased). Grandchildren- Daniel Sapati Ta’afuli Elemile. (Son) Elia Mou Ta’afuli. Grandchildren- Marie Princess Tiatia Martinez married to Connor Martinez. Great-grandchildren- Kainalu Koa Prince Martinez, Kayden Tupu Martinez and Kawhi Lifasio Liam Martinez, Miriama Maloa Ta’afuli, Masi Arthella Ta’afuli, Tina Nu’u Ta’afuli, Charlie Tiatia Ta’afuli, Keliani Favorite Abigail Ta’afuli, Gary Mika Ta’afuli. (Daughter) Saeu Tanya Ta’afuli married to Kusitafu Otuafi. Grandchildren- Iloa Kavana Otuafi, Rebekah Mary Otuafi, Nunia Lisate Otuafi, Alailupe Kahrissa Otuafi, Lemalasia Laura Ta’afuli, Sione Andrew Otuafi, Siaosi Fineula Otuafi, Agapei Ta’afuli Otuafi, Louena Limala’u Otuafi. (Son) Joseph Smith Ta’afuli. (Daughter) Peka Eme Ta’afuli. Princess Laura Lemalasia Ta’afuli. The Siligas- Ben Siliga. Michael Siala married to Jennifer Taula Siala. Grandchildren- Penina Ramona Moliga married to Uinifeti Moliga. Great Grandchildren- Jayden Moliga, Jessiah Moliga, John Moliga, Jonah Moliga, Jenniah Moliga. Benjamin Siala married to Seini Siala. Great Grandchildren- Benny Siala. Fa’amasofa Siala married to Bree Seumanu Siala. Great grandson- Faamalosi Siala. Michael Jr. Siala. Marley Siala. Tusisoloa Nu’u Siala. (Son) Mou Siliga- John Bismark “Sapati” Siliga Great granddaughter- Aniva Siliga. Siala Mou Siliga Jr. married to Meleane Tau Siliga. Saeu Salote Siliga. Carrielynn Manaia Siliga. Monalani Siliga. Nu’uali’ilani Juliana Faith Siliga. Harmouny Sugalu Siliga. Michael Lemaa Bruce Siliga, Royal King Mou Siliga, Vienna Princess Siliga. Brother- Fia Malaeulu. Sister- Tu’ua Hill. Sister- Potoafe Covarrubias. Sister- Mere Aukuso.

He is preceded in death by his Mother- Faivaofitiialilo Levi Fa’alaulau, Father- Arona Ta’afuli Malaeulu, Son- Gary Sapati Ta’afuli. Son- Philip Laufoe Elemile. Son- Ben Siliga. Sister- Vai Mauu. Sister- Peka Tauvala’au. Brother- Skipi Malaeulu. Brother- Iakopo Malaeulu. Brother- Skipi Malaeulu.

Funeral services for family will be Tuesday Dec 3, 2019 at 5pm in St. George, Utah. Friends and family may call Wednesday Nov 27, 2019 for a viewing from 9-10:45 with funeral services at 11 am.  All services are at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints located at 3519 Manzanita Road, St George. Interment will take place in the Tonaquint Cemetery at 1777  South Dixie Drive, St George, Utah.