Loi Fa'atuono Lutali was an outgoing, loving, creative, and confident person. He was a natural leader and everyone's friend who believed that he could achieve whatever he set out to do. People were drawn to his warm nature and good heart. He never forgot a name or a face and he made everyone feel important.
Loi was born on January 16, 1950 at Malaloa, Pago Pago in American Samoa. His parents were Fa'atuono and Gasologa Lutali. Loi was raised in the Villages of Aunu'u, Utulei and Malaeimi. Loi was raised with six siblings. He had four sisters, Fa'aea, Fa'aifo, Loruama, and Vaela'a, and two brothers, Ioane, and Semi. As a young boy, Loi took part in Cricket and boat races. He was an active member of his village church choir and in his spare time he liked to walk around the village and play his guitar. In 1968, Loi graduated from Mapusaga High School in American, Samoa. He had various hobbies and interests but most of all, Loi enjoyed spending time with his family and the people of his village and even in his later years, he still loved to play his guitar entertaining his family and friends.
Prior to his marriage to Lagolemu, Loi was married to Toaga Kelemete Su’a on September 9th, 1974 for 23 years. Toaga passed in 1997. After the passing of his first wife, On February 10, 2001 Loi exchanged wedding vows with Lagolemu Pele Faletogo at Temple of Hope in Wilmington, California. Loi was seldom a critical person, but rather the one who was able to bring out the best in others. Loi was an entertaining conversationalist who was quick to respond to his spouse’s needs. He was a vibrant personality and he enjoyed having meaningful conversations with his wife. He was very perceptive in recognizing others feelings, especially regarding Lagolemu's.
Loi's remarkable talent for being inventive influenced his relationship with his children. He would create original, clever and fun games for his kids and had a knack for finding ways to make everyday events, even chores, enjoyable to them. Loi was blessed with nine children, five boys, Johnson, Alvin, Damian, Papatoa, and Mutiatai, and four girls, Jennifer, Janice, Lupe, and Angel. He was also blessed with twenty grandchildren and six great grandchildren, Nella, Saphira, Steven, Jeremy, Isaiah, Nunu, Azariah, Siliana, Savannah, Koli, Keoni, Kiera, Cee Kayla, Shyann, Sophia, Sunny, Baby Alvin, Kayla, Miles, Kash, Noasi, King, Kane, Kali, Kobe and Baby Loi. Someone who was quick to laugh, Loi found it easy to spend lots of time with his children. He appreciated them all for their differences.
Loi was a focused leader with a strong drive for achievement. He could assess all of the options before him and, using his analytical skills, could comfortably find answers that no one else had even considered. His personal initiative inspired those around him. His primary occupation was as a Long Shore man. He was employed for thirty three years by Pacific Maritime and he worked for ILWU. Loi always made an effort to be a team player, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done.
As an Army veteran, Loi was continually interested in national and even world affairs. His keen interest and strong values led him to become active in his community which is why he served on the committee for the Samoan Federation in Carson, California. Faith was also important to Loi and he was active in his church, became baptized on November 04, 2017 and later serving as a Deacon for the Sistac Seven Day Adventist Church in North Las Vegas, Nevada.
Loi retired in 2012. His new life involved relocating to North Las Vegas, Nevada. In retirement, he found new pleasure in Bingo and cooking traditional Samoan dishes. Even in retirement, Loi continued to stay in touch with his old friends and while making plenty of new acquaintances. He was active with family and friends and felt fulfilled.
Loi passed away on June 7, 2018 at Las Vegas, Nevada. Loi passed away from a sudden heart attack. He is survived by his wife, Lagolemu, nine children, Jennifer, Johnson, Janice, Alvin, Damian, Aegataulupe, Aliitasi, Papatoa, Mutiatai twenty grandchildren, Nella, Saphira, Steven, Jeremy, Isaiah, Nunu, Azariah, Siliana, Savannah, Koli, Keoni, Kiera, Cee Kayla, Shyann, Sophia, Sunny, Baby Alvin, Kayla, Miles, Kash, and six great grandchildren, Noasi, King, Kane, Kali, Kobe, and Baby Loi. Services were held at Palm Northwest Mortuary, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Loi was laid to rest in Palm Northwest Cemetery, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
During his lifetime, nothing appeared impossible to Loi. He met the words “it can’t be done” with the enthusiastic challenge of a “wanna bet” attitude. Loi was able to recognize the possibilities a new idea held, even when those around him could not. For Loi, the traditional way of doing things fell short of his expectations, especially if there were original and untested methods for handling a challenge. For Loi Fa'atuono Lutali, the fun of living his life could be found in the challenge.
