Ionatana Fa'auli

Ionatana Taumaia Fa’auli

1944 ~ 2021

Ionatana Taumaia Fa’auli, Aoao Fesosoani, a loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Brother, Uncle, Nephew, and a friend.

Ionatana was born in Manu’a, American Samoa on December 24, 1944, to father Fa’auli Laapui and mother Taumaia Moevao Fa’auli, both deceased.

Ionatana attended Piula Theological College in Upolu, Western Samoa to study the Bible and the life of Jesus, so he could share the gospel with others.

He married Faivaai Fa’auli on May 20, 1983. He loved his boo, his wife, best friend, and she was his heart. Every day he would tell her how much he loved her.

He was the fourth child of 9 children. Taligi Fa’auli, Mesepa Laupata and Fa’apuna Taosoga who preceded him in death; Tauemua Taofi, Fa’auli Fa’auli, Evelina Pita, Lelologa Fa’auli and Elena Puaina.

He loved his siblings.

He had three children, Repeka, Temukisa, and Elena, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews, who he leaves behind to mourn his loss.

Ionatana was a hero, a role model, and a good friend. Our dad loved us unconditionally. He was quick to forgive, and taught us to have faith in God; and that every act of kindness showed God’s love to others.

Dad loved children and supported his extended children within his family and his church family, creating a sense of belonging to everyone. He was a spiritual teacher and a prayer warrior. He was a leader who served his home, church, and community.

Ionatana had a heart of gold, always helping others along the way, even if it meant giving his last.

The things we loved the most about our dad was his attitude of gratefulness. He always found something to be thankful for, whether it was good or bad. He had a sense of humor, enjoyed telling jokes and believed that laughter is good medicine for the soul. He constantly reminded us to not postpone the important things in life and make sure you tell your loved ones that you love them, while you can.

He took his last breath on July 17, 2021, 1:13pm at the University Hospital of Utah.

His last words of encouragement to us at the hospital were:

• Put God first

• I did my best because I love you kids and mama • God is so good (Ese Le Alofa Le Atua) • Go to church • Work together as a team • Love one another • Love your Mother • Take care of mom  • God works in  mysterious ways • Pray for anything and everything • Take care of each other • Be humble • Forgive others • Don’t cry for me • I love you and • “That’s it!”  Lol

Being a student of life, he fought the good fight of faith and His legacy was about creating memories, to love, serve others and to put God first and everything else will follow.

As a Chinese philosopher once said, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the second-best time is today.”