Dad,
 
There are so many memories from days at the park to eating at your favorite restaurant “Eat Kitchen” at “Castleford”.  I’ve heard legendary stories of the training , commitment and love you have from everyone but especially your pride and joys  Tita, Noah, Isaiah , Kelaiah, Ma’a and Manaia. You were  there for everything from Day 1 and showed me how a Dad and man is supposed to be. You always came in clutch and made sure we put god first and things will be fine.  The one memory that pops up first is when you and Aunty showed up to Utah to surprise Sharee when Matai was being born. You made Sharee  smile like only you can. I never thanked you enough for accepting me and making me feel like I was your son enough. I will miss you daily and thank you for the talks and definitely the laughs. I promise to take care of Tita and the “bull” and make sure I send you clips of Maa and Manaia doing what they do best! Love you to the moon and this is never goodbye so until we meet again! I always got you! 

-Manu

 

Hi uncle! Sitting here writing this thinking of all the  memories & good times we had all shared together at the Ewa beach house. Those were some of my favorite childhood memories. One specific memory I hold dear was the time you guys came to Vegas for Sharee’s tourney, we had a conversation about our Polynesian cultures & the structure we had as a civilization.  I think back now, mortified rambling on about highschool dramas to you that brought that particular conversation on. LOL. But you listened intently, encouraged me & I thank you for humoring 17 year old me. lol. We went on being prideful about our beautiful Samoan culture lol. This is how I’ll always remember you & how you are a nurturing soul. You pushed your kids to greatness & you included all the “bebes” in your love. This shows in your kids Uncle, like when we spent time with you guys how they were such gracious fun welcoming hosts. I’ll always be thankful to you all.

You & Dad are so similar so this hits different. My heart is with my cousins and as a daddy’s girl myself,  it’s especially with Sharee & Manaia. Our fathers give us the unconditional love no one else can fill & every thing you all do is for your kids. Thank you for always being the warm soul you are & will forever be. I also want to thank you for loving my Dad & always matching his energy. His truest forever brother, the besties. I think I can speak for all of us when I  say we’ll miss your joyful laugh. There will never be another like you. We love you forever Uncle Junior. Ia Manuia Lou Malaga, until we meet again.

Love always,
Brontë 

It’s true many mornings me and junior made the trip to St. Louis either being dropped by maddy, or in front of the school by his dad at like 6am, his dad would start knocking on the glass window as soon as he took the king street cut off to wake us up as we slept in the back of the truck, because that’s how long it would take to get us up at which time we’ d push the wooden makeshift door cover from the truck bed open and in the middle of the road on a red light (not all the time at a red light),  pop out from the truck, sometimes junior would forget I was coming out after him and let the door go popping me on the head. (Haha). I often thought to myself gosh how many people in those cars in the back of us were startled to see 2 Samoan kids jump out of a truck bed on Waialae ave in the morning darkness like that.  My brother, my cuz , gonna miss you , love you.  
Save me a space up there.  I ll see you when I get there. 

Kennedy

Thinking of the very first time we met 11 years ago, happened to be the  walk of shame, unfortunately.  I was scared for my life as the only way out the house was to walk downstairs where everyone already began to eat breakfast. With the spirit of Jesus on my side and no way out, I mustered the courage to walk downstairs to accept what was to come .  Took a deep breath and began to walk down with a sudden feeling of not knowing how to walk.  Finally, made it to the table without having a 'She's All That' moment and was greeted with breakfast.  From then, the interrogating questions began.  "What school did you go to? What sports did you play? What's your last name? Where is your family from?".  Mind you, I wasn't even hungry but felt compelled to eat before I would eat something else.  Finishing answering your questions and breakfast, I felt safe to leave but to never return, LOL.  One of my scariest and funniest memory of you.

As time progressed and our relationship grew, a thing I loved about you was your openness and how welcoming you were with me.  You never failed to make me feel out of place and always inclusive as family.  If I wasn't at an event it would always be "Where's Tito?".  Hearing that made me feel at home, a home where initially I was so terrified to walk down the stairs and meet everyone. Wanting to build a stronger relationship, I always wanted to show appreciation by helping with anything asked of or where my help was needed.

It hurts knowing we'll no longer be hearing your call to check on us, to talk stories, or to ask us to help you with something, LOL.  

Thank you for the unlimited laughs, the love you shared, and being good to me.

Continue watch over us Dad, until we reunite again, over breakfast again :)

Love you <3


Papa, I remember you used to play baseball and football with me.  I love you and miss you Papa. 

Love,
Zion 

Dad, I write this the day before we prepare to celebrate your life here on earth. Our entire lives, you never cared to, or took the time to celebrate you. Just another example of the type of Father you were, always putting us before yourself. 

I would do anything to hear your voice again; always ending the conversation with "I love you", laugh when you crack a joke out of nowhere (no one was safe), and drive all over Ewa Beach to get you your perfect dinner combo. "You fly, I buy son." 

Selfishly, I wish I could have had more time with you, but I know you're in your rightful place in the Kingdom of Heaven. 

The pride you felt when you'd talk about me as your son will be multiplied tenfold when I share memories of you for the rest of my life. I am honored that God chose me to be your son, and want to thank you for the forever impact you've left on me. Thank you for loving me unconditionally,  and loving me for me. 

There will never be another like you. 

Until that glorious day we get to meet again, continue to watch over us. 

I miss and love you forever dad! 

I was instantly crushed and sadden to hear the news about Uncle Junior’s passing. I had the pleasure of knowing the Fonoti’s through Sharee, in which we played college softball together. And there wasn’t a day Sharee didn’t pass up  to talk about her family, but mostly about her Dad. She was so grateful for her dad pushing her and leading her to pursue her dreams and passions! I’m so thankful I had the opportunity to be around him and share the same birthday as him. I’ll miss his infectious smile and jokes. Uncle, it’s been a true honor knowing you.  I know you’ll be watching very closely on all your beloved. Until we meet again💜 
love Devina #33 (left side- strong side).. Sharee’s 3rd baseman! 

My childhood was defined by memories of playing softball and growing up seeing my Fonoti ohana in the stands cheering us on. Uncle Jr always brought a sense of safety and support - and was the biggest hype-man there ever was; a lot of my confidence and success on the field was largely due to supportive people like Uncle Jr. Even into adulthood - he never stopped bragging about us, and telling complete strangers how great we were on and off the field. “…she may be nice, but don’t make her mad because she’s a complete beast…” he would say. Thank you to my Fonoti family for sharing your dad with me - I will always cherish the love and support he’s given me over the years. I love you Uncle!  <3 

Today makes 1 month since the Lord called U home…The week before an iphone memory popped up of us at Maa’s 2015 LV Tourney, good times.
My fondest memory of U(not the one of me & Seu sitting in your neighbors van lol), during one of our many sunset2sunrise gathering, I shared a sensitive matter with U…U put your hand over your heart and said “Always Bebe” I can still hear U, that meant a lot.
Writing this, is nothing I’d ever imagine, Our deepest Sympathies, Love & Support  for your Children, Aunty Aoina & Sibs, Shelly & Donna, Family & Friends.
I am(we’re) so Grateful & Blessed for your Goodness, Genuine Alofa & 35yrs Friendship…Manuia Lau Malaga “Love U My Uso Always”

Pita, Peka & Aiga

He always took the time to greet me at family parties .  First time,  he asked me if I  knew what his name  was.  Junior,  I answered.     That's right! he said and  smiled. 

We love & miss you so much, Uncle Jr! We were extremely blessed to experience all the love, laughter, & good times we shared with you! Thank you for being the best brother & uncle to us all! You are forever tucked safe in our hearts along with all our beautiful memories! Manuia Lou Malaga, Uncle….’Til we meet again! We love you forever, our Fonoti aiga! ❤️❤️❤️ 

~ The Petelo-Iulis.

We miss you!  Today is Matais birthday 09.08.16… he’s 5!  You were the first to hold and kiss him up.   Matai says “I got papa!” “I talk to him” “I want to go to Jesus, to heavens house, and papas house to talk to papa!”  Love you dad! Love you papa! Always! 

I love and miss you dad!! You’ve always been my hero!  We will continue to keep God first, love one another, and pray!!  Love you, love you, love you! Go Utes! 

Love always, 
Tita 
 #kissestothesky 

I’m lost for words and can’t believe  he's not with us anymore, but after talking with my uso Ben and finally able to let it out with him I know that my bebe Uso is with our FATHER.  So many memories as kids and playing football in 84 me Campbell Jr St. Luis I’ll always hold them close to me in my heart forever.  Thank you uso Jr for loving me the way you did and reminding me to laugh and to laugh often.  Fatu, Fonoti, Schaefer 4 life.  

Deary: Donna Makua


Children: Sharee (Talimanu) McBraun, Daughter
Noah (Tito Ioane) Fonoti, Son
Isaiah (Megan Manley) Fonoti, Son
Kelaiah Fonoti, Son
Manaia Fonoti, Daughter
Ma’a Fonoti, Son


Grandchildren: Matai McBraun (Sharee)
Zion Nahale-Fonoti (Isaiah)
Grandchild #5 expected December 2021 (Isaiah)
Neriah Seau-Fonoti (Kelaiah)
Arieta Fonoti (Kelaiah)




Parents: Fiapoto Galu Fonoti, Sr. (Father – deceased)
Aoina Fonoti (Mother)


Siblings: Madeleine (Faresa) Tali, Sister
Benjamin (Briana) Fonoti, Brother
Carolyn Fonoti, Sister
Christine (Tennyson) Liu, Sister
Tama’aiga (Raychelle) Fonoti, Brother/Nephew

OBITUARY

Fiapoto Galu Fonoti Jr.

January 22, 1966 – August 16, 2021

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