Faiva Faalevao

Faiva was born on September 3, 1944 in Fagaalu, American Samoa (AS), to his parents Fa’alevao Fano (Fagaalu, AS) and Safua Vaili Pepe (Toamua, Samoa). He attended elementary through high school in AS, and was a member of the National Honor Society. In 1964, he left Samoa to begin his journey in the states on an Academic Scholarship to Lamar College in Colorado, graduating with an AA degree in Pre-Law and was accepted in to Colorado University.

On March 24, 1966 he married his long time childhood sweetheart, Tauilevasa McManus Fa’alevao; married for 46 blessed years. Together they had five children, nine grandchildren, and raised four nieces/sister/nephew as their own children. With an ever growing family, Faiva put his education on hold to support his family and moved to San Francisco working as a stock boy at Macy’s. One year later, he successfully completed the Navy’s Apprentice Program for Electronics and Mechanical Journeyman and became a Certified Electronic Technician. In 1973, he accepted a job offer to work as a Quality Assurance Specialist (QAS) with Defense Contract Administration Service (DCAS) in Goleta, CA, being one of nine QAS assigned to Raytheon Electronics. He then moved his family to Santa Barbara.

During his tenure with DCAS, Faiva found time to attend the University of California, Santa Barbara (1973-79). A job promotion brought him and his growing family to Oxnard in 1975. He was named The Quality Assurance Representative (QAR) Of The Year for DCASMA Oxnard and first runner-up as DCASR Los Angeles QAR of 1978. From 1985-1989 he worked as a Supervisory Quality Assurance Representative (QAR) at Northrop Ventura. From there, he moved on to work as QAR for the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Port Hueneme from 1989 until his retirement in 2003. Faiva was a past secretary and vice-chairman of Channel Cities American Society of Quality (ASQ), formerly known as the American Society of Quality Control (ASQC) Section. In 2002, Faiva was elected by his mother’s family to take on a role as High Chief for the village of Toamua, Samoa, giving him a new name: High Chief Pepe Faiva Fa’alevao. His role was to represent the village of Toamua and advocate/administer to the needs of his family and the community.

Faiva was loved, admired, respected and truly inspirational to his family, friends and the Samoan community that knew him well. Those who knew him know that God and family were the most important things of his life. He was intelligent, humble, kind, loving, compassionate, witty, humorous, personable and very fun to be around. Faiva was also well known to be a great golfer - he was a member of the Samoan Golf Association – LA Chapter. He was also a longtime member of the First Samoan Congregational Church of Oxnard, and served as the Church Moderator for many years. Playing golf, bike riding with the grandchildren and working on his yard were some of his favorite activities to do.

Faiva was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife (March 2012), his loving parents, brothers Fatuvalu (Frank) Fano, Ifitoto Tuatau Fa’alevao and sister Anoimalo Fano. He is survived by his children, Edelene Burgess (Lowell) of Las Vegas, NV, Victoria Saipale (Toa) of Oxnard, CA, Veronica Sao of Oxnard, CA, Andrew Fa’alevao of Oxnard, CA, and David Fa’alevao (Carol) of Ventura, CA; other children raised: Vine Moevao (Wayne) of Palo Alto, CA, Elizabeth Talaeai (Levi) of Reno, NV, Pa’i Manu’a ChuLing of Oxnard, CA, I'ugafono Sunia of American Samoa; his grandchildren, Mydori Saipale, Destiny Sao, Toray and Tavita Burgess, Mario Parks, Brandon Meier, Shelby Babcock, Andrew and Savannah Fa’alevao; his brothers Tineiafi Ron Fano of Hayward, CA, Tautai Aviata Fa’alevao of Portland, OR; his sisters Faitotoa Sao of Corona, CA, Iupeliauro Jubi Fa’alevao of Long Beach, CA, Sulusamoa Fa’alevao of Toamua, Samoa; and a host of nieces and nephews. He will be sincerely missed but leaves a legacy of honor and grace that will continue to live in our hearts forever.

Celebration of Life Services for family and friends will be held on Friday, July 6th, 5pm, at Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura and Sunday, July 8th, 3pm, also at Ted Mayr Funeral Home. Final services are Monday, July 9th, 10am at First Samoan Congregational Church of Oxnard, 250 E. Collins St., Oxnard, proceeding to Ivy Lawn Memorial Park in Ventura.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Cancer Society, 2186 Knoll Drive, Ventura, CA 93003, in his honor. Assisting with the funeral arrangements is Ted Mayr Funeral Home of Ventura, (805) 643-9977.