Sione Fetokai Tukuafu, a loving father, son, brother, husband, and friend, was born on December 29, 1977 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to his loving parents, Aisake Kauvaka Tukuafu and Lose Vaiokema (Kinikini) Tukuafu as the oldest of their seven children. He was raised in Portland, Oregon and Salt Lake City, Utah before he and his family moved back to their roots in Tonga. He attended Tonga Side School and graduated from the prestigious Tonga High School in 1995. Sione received a scholarship to attend St. Kentigern’s College and played on the school’s First XV Rugby Team. He was there for a year before serving a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. From 1997 to 1999, Sione devoted his life to sharing a message of kindness and Christlike love in the South Dakota Rapid City Mission; unknowingly, he would continue to share that same message for the rest of his life, as he was always an example of Christlike love to everyone he came in contact with. Following his full-time mission, he returned home to Tonga for a few months and was selected to be on the notable Tonga National Rugby League Team, “Mate Ma’a Tonga”. In the Fall of 1999, he attended Brigham Young University in Hawaii and thereafter met his eternal companion, Verna Vasitaiamoni Tonga. On April 22, 2000, they were married in the Salt Lake City Temple. The following year, they brought their eldest daughter, Lose Lionaini, into the world on April 23, 2001. In November 2002, they returned to Tonga and later had their only son, Aisake Gordon, on June 11, 2003. On May 3, 2005, their youngest daughter, Eveline Elia, was brought into this world to complete their family unit.

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On March 10, 2020, Sione, Verna, Aisake, and Eveline travelled to Hawaii to visit their eldest daughter, Lose, who was attending Brigham Young University in Hawaii and was planning to serve a full-time mission. What was supposed to be a two-week vacation, ended up being their last vacation as a complete family. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the borders closed and prevented them from returning back home to Tonga. They decided to travel to Utah to be with family awaiting a time for when the borders would open up. On September 27, 2020, Sione fell ill and was admitted to St. Marks Hospital in Salt Lake City. He fought a good fight but on October 28, 2020, Sione bid his final farewell and returned to his Father in Heaven.

Sione loved being with his family. Everything he did revolved around them. Making memories with them was most important to him. They travelled everywhere together and participated in many activities as a family. He got involved with rugby again to allow him more time to spend with his son. He coached his son’s rugby team and took the National Under 15s to Australia on a rugby tour. It did not end there; he found a way to coach his son’s school rugby team and was able to claim their first rugby league championship title. Sione also loved singing. He loved it so much that he invested in a karaoke system and made sure his family would sing with him every night. He expanded his playlist to Polynesian dance songs so he could sing and play the guitar while his wife and daughters would dance. This was his definition of family time. Sione will always be known for his quick wit, his infectious smile, and his kind and compassionate spirit.

Sione Fetokai Tukuafu is survived by his eternal companion; Verna Vasitaiamoni, by his children Lose Lionaini, Aisake Gordon, and Eveline Elia; his loving parents, Aisake Kauvaka and Lose Vaiokema (Kinikini) Tukuafu and his wonderful siblings Taina Finau, Eveline Pualani, Kaunanga Hehea, Ilaisia Gordon, Kaveinga, and Metui Vaiokema Tukuafu.

A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, November 6, 2020 beginning at 11:00 A.M at the Redwood Memorial. A link to the services will be posted where friends and family may also share memories and condolences. Masks and social distancing are required.

Until that glorious morning when we see you smile again, watch over us Sione.