Sapati N. Tufaga
April 01, 1930 - November 24, 2012
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Sapati N. Tufaga
April 01, 1930 - November 24, 2012
Obituary
Bishop Sapati Niumatalolo
Alma 37:37
Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
A loving father, grandfather and husband. Bishop Sapati Niumatalolo Tufaga gave us the best and most memorable 82 years of his life. He was born on April 1, 1930 in American Samoa where he met and later married his beautiful wife Salina Umu-Galeai Niumatalolo-Tufaga. While serving in the United States Marine Corps, he raised 6 children in south orange county. He was blessed to be able to serve as Bishop of the Santa Ana 4th ward in the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints for over 5 years. Bishop Tufaga has touched the lives of so many people with his kind, loving heart and the way he reached out and helped those in need. We as his family are so grateful for the wonderful years we had with him. We are especially grateful for the teachings that he taught us and for showing us the path that we must follow to be able to return to our heavenly father some day. ‘Till We Meet Again’ papa!
3 responses to Sapati N. Tufaga
Lyman Se'e Tufaga (Api) says:
December 12, 2012
I was about 6 or 7 years of age around 1946 or 47 when the first group of relatives came from American Samoa to live with us in Laie Oahu Hawaii. These men were the nephews of my dad Aiulu Se’e Tufaga and their names were Sapati Niumatalolo, Iti Tilo and Aiulu Manu. Iti Tilo joined the Army and Aiulu Manu joined the Marine Corp soon after arriving. Sapati stayed with us for a while in Laie before joining the Marines. My dad was a leader of the LDS Church in Laie although Sapati was not LDS, but I know that the influence and example of my dad had something to do with Sapati converting to the LDS Church.
Many years later was my first encounter with Sapati on one of my visits to Am. Samoa, and during our cousin Eni Faleomavaega Hunkins campaign. It was a wonderful visit talking about old times of Laie and my father Aiulu Tufaga and what he has done for these men. All three of these men have now passed Sapati been the last of them. I will alway have fond memories of these cousins while growing up in Laie.
On behalf of my sisters, Siiva Betsey Tufaga-Young, Teuila Lona Tufaga-Shahan(deceased), Rosie Lani Tufaga-Moreno, Loretta Tufaga-Jones(Tino) and myself Lyman Se’e Tufaga (Api), our condolesences goes out to our cousin Sapati’s family in Lake Forest California.
Charles Sammons says:
March 30, 2013
I have many fond memories of Bishop Tufaga. I met him when I was on an assignment at the Bishop’s Storehouse for my ward. I liked him from the moment we met, and I would go to the storehouse every week to see him and visit with him. I loved his family and working with the Samoan members that would come to help. I enjoyed his company so much that I would go up there on Thursday nights and Saturday mornings. After I was done, he would call me over and we would sit down together and he would tell me stories about when he was in Samoa, and when he was an MP in the Marine Corps. One of my favorite stories was when he told me about how, during WWII, his dad took him and his brothers to the top of a hill overlooking the beach where the American GI’s were camped. His Dad said, “Do you see how these wonderful young men sacrifice for us? Do you see how they sleep in those hot tents and endure the bugs and mosquitos to keep us safe?” Then his Father said, I want each of you boys to serve your country, and then serve your people. Bishop Tufaga said that he and all of his brothers served in the Military and served in a priesthood leadership capacity in a Samoan ward. What a great story. I really love Bishop Tufaga and I think of him often. My wife Amy and I are very happy and have three little girls, but there are days when I would love to be back in that chair sitting with Bishop Tufaga, hearing his counsel and his stories. My heartfelt condolences go out to the Tufagas. I love you guys. -Charles and Amy Sammons
Carolina Sio says:
February 15, 2024
Hi Charles!
After all these years of not seeing this sweet message that you took the time to leave for our family!! Wow!! Thank you!! This is Carolina and I shared your message with our family. Thank you for always being there for our parents. My mom use to call you “Son.” Life sure has changed and we hold on to the good memories of our parents serving their mission at the Bishop storehouse. Our dad loved having you there and we remember sitting out in the car after the storehouse closed. We would wait for our dad. He was always in the office having great conversations with you. We love and miss you & Amy. Hope that you and your family are doing well. Alofa tele atu!