Sale Charles Tapusoa

Saleanetona Tapusoa was born on October 4, 1951, in the village of Mosula, Savai’i in Western Samoa. His parents are Aigagalefili Aloi Lavea and Talatalaga Tagaloatea Tapusoa. His siblings are Mautu Iosua, Tagaloa Tapusoa, Iliui Tapusoa, Neiafu Pe’a, Lupelele Tapusoa, Aveolela Manu, Nephi Tapusoa, Felila Aiono, Vitoria Talanoa, Uaina Magalei and save the best for last our dad – who was the youngest of 10 children. Most of his young childhood years were spent in the village of Mosula until his parents were called to take care of the girls at the Church owned boarding school in Vaiola. It was also in Vaiola where he attended school during his younger years. One of our favorite stories is when my dad was going to school in Vaiola, he had to wait till all the girls were done eating – When it was his turn to eat, all the good food would be gone. So, he would come out in the open field and cause a big scene screaming and shouting saying, “they ate all the fish!” He would do this loud enough so his parents can hear him. When Dad was 10 years old his family left Vaiola and moved to Aua, American Samoa. At the age of 12 his family moved to Hawaii where he attended Waialua HS, and then moved to Laie and attended Kahuku HS where he was on the wrestling team and beginning band. When Dad was going to school in Hawaii – his family was so poor, he wouldn’t have any money for lunch/food. He’d go to school every day and stare at kids eating their food and nobody ever offered to share their lunch with him. Dad told us that it was there he made a promise to himself that when he got older no matter what, no matter how big or little he had he would always share with anyone and everyone who was in need. His family then left Hawaii and migrated to Compton, CA where he finished his schooling and graduated from Compton HS in 1969.

Not long after graduating, Dad joined the US Navy and served from 1970-1972 and was honorably discharged. Although it was for a short time, serving his country was one of the best decisions he’s made and one he was proud of. To this day, our family is still blessed because of my dad serving our country. Upon returning home from the Navy, Dad decided to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was called to the South Dakota Rapid City Mission where he served on the Sioux Indian reservations from 1976-1978.

Dad returned home from his mission and met Regina Lisi Suafole Purcell at a Green and Gold Ball. (Young Adult Dance) After a short courtship, they married in February 1980. Together they have 7 children – LeGrand Timuiauatea, Aigagalefili Camilla, Talatalaga Tagaloa, Eliza Martha, Lenea Olga, Ezra Charles, and Hyrum Osa. After 20 years of marriage, Lisi unexpectedly passed away. In the year 2001, he remarried to Utuaniani Maliota, and we were blessed with our youngest brother Saleanetona Dwayne.

Dad loved sports and he worked at Lynwood HS as an ESL aid; he coached boys/girls JV & Varsity volleyball from 1988-1993 and won several championships with his teams. He also coached volleyball for Leuzinger HS and Jordan HS in Long Beach, CA. Dad was a hardworking man. He worked as a janitor cleaning chapels for the Church, (and I believe this is where his love for keeping all the chapels clean and tidy came from) his last job he held was driving trucks delivering mail for the post office.

Dad devoted his life to serving our Heavenly Father. While living in California he held multiple callings in the church as a high council man, he served in bishoprics, and was called as a bishop for the Long Beach 15th ward in the Long Beach Stake from 1996-2000. In the year 2000 Living in California, Dad had some health scares and really wanted to take his family somewhere where we can grow spiritually and have better opportunities. He decided to sell our home in Long Beach, CA and we made the move to West Valley City, UT in July of 2004.

Moving to Utah has been a blessing for our family and Dad always reminded us of this. Our parents took several trips to Samoa in the last 10 years and during their last trip they were able to serve a 6-month service mission as self-reliance teachers in Pesega.

In Utah my dad held numerous of callings including Priest quorum advisor, ward mission leader, young adult parents and being called as a bishop for a second time in the Volta Samoan Ward of the Granger South Stake from 2018-2023 when he was released due to his illness. Dad truly exuded a life of service. He loved his family, he dedicated his life to the Savior and the gospel, he was a man of his word, humble, soft spoken, and always showed his love by actions. On December 30th, 2023, Dad was called back home and released from the pains of this world, surrounded by his Wife and Children.

Dad is survived by his wife, Utuaniani, children: LeGrand, Aigagalefili & son-in-law, Alfred Silva, Talatalaga, Eliza, Lenea, Ezra, Hyrum & daughter-in-law, Amanda and grandsons: Alfred Jr., Lamont & Ethan Silva and Andre “Shooting Star” Magalei. He is also survived by his siblings: Tagaloa, Vaeula, Neiafu, Nephi, Vitoria and Uaina and their families. He is preceded in death by his Parents, first wife Regina Lisi and siblings: Mautu, Iliui, Lupelele, Aveolela and Felila.

We are better people because of his teachings and love. We will miss him terribly but now know what we must do in this earthly life to see him again.

“And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.” – 2 Nephi 25:26

A viewing for Sale will be held Saturday, January 6, 2024, from 8:00 AM to 8:45 AM. Following the viewing will be a funeral service from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4251 S 4800 W, West Valley City, Utah 84120.

Sale will be laid to rest in Valley View Memorial Park, 4400 West 4100 South, West Valley City, Utah 84120.