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Tevita Vaa'ivaka

November 25, 1952 — August 28, 2011

Tevita Vaa'ivaka

Tevita Vaa'ivaka aka Paula Fanua
25 November 1952 - 21 August 2011 Tevita Vaa'ivaka aka Paula Fanua passed away peacefully at home on the 21st of August 2011 in South Jordan, Utah.
He was born at the old Vaiola Hospital, Nuku'alofa, Tongatapu, Tonga on the 25th of November 1952. Tevita is the oldest son of Siosifa Meli Vaa'ivaka aka Filimone of Lofanga, Ha'apai, Tonga and Salote Valenitina Vi of Ha'ateiho and Pangai, Ha'apai, Tonga. He attended BYU-Hawaii Campus in 1981 and got his BS in Business in 1985. Some of his outstanding achievements were: He graduated from Tupou College in 1964, passed the New Zealand School Certificate in 1971 from Tupou High School, became a Cadet Officer for two years in the Tongan Defense Force, graduated from the New Zealand Academy in 1974, and became a Second Lieutenant, and returned to Tonga and worked as Assistant Commander at the Royal Guards. He then became a First Lieutenent in 1976 and took up the role of escorting His Royal Highness, King Tupou IV in ceremonial traditional activities.
He married Katri Hala'unga, daughter of Samiu Hala'unga and Hemione. They had two sons, Joseph David Vaa'ivaka and Sefesi Vaa'ivaka. In 1986, Tevita returned to Tonga to work in the Labor and Commerce Department, after getting his MBA degree from Alaska Pacific University. After successfully serving his country, he finally retired in 2008. Another of Tevita's favorite pastimes was rugby. He was selected to the First Under 23 National Rugby Team in 1976 and was also elected a member of the Tonga Rugby Union National Committee. His unequivocal desire to help his family, friends and community will be monumentally remembered.

Tevita is survived by his two sons, Joseph David Vaa'ivaka and Sefesi Vaa'ivaka, his mother (Salote Valenitina Vi), five siblings (Hulita + Sosefo, Molitika + 'Atu, Sulia + 'Aleki, Sinipata + Donna, Li'ekina + Tevita). Preceded in death by his father Siosifa Meli Vaa'ivaka (Filimone).

Funeral services will be held at the Parkway Stake Center at 9894 South 2700 West, South Jordan, Utah on September 3, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Family viewing at 8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Interment will be at the Valley View Memorial Park in West Valley City.
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