Sianavaotaua Fa’atafuna Vaioali’i Nu’usila

On Wednesday, September 1, 2021, Sianavaotaua Fa’atafuna Vaioali’i Nu’usila, a loving husband, son, brother, uncle, nephew, friend, and father of two children, passed away at the age of 43 at Liberty Regional Medical Center in Hinesville, Georgia.

Sianavaotaua also known as “Nu’usila,” was born on June 5, 1978, in Pago Pago, American Samoa to the late Nameri Nu’usila of Pago Pago, American Samoa and Vaipuna (Apia), Samoa and Faafeai Moors of Fagamalo, Savai’i and Vaivase, Samoa.  He is the second oldest of five children: three sisters and one brother.  He is known to family members as “Nuusila” or “Sila” but to his dear friends, he will always be “Chill.”

Earlier in his life, Nu’usila traveled back and forth between the two Samoan islands of Tutuila and Upolu, visiting his mother’s and father’s villages of Vaipuna and Vaivase, Samoa.  However, most of his life growing up was spent living in Pago Pago, American Samoa, where his paternal grandmother and his father originate from.  Nu’usila attended Pago Pago Elementary School up until fifth grade when he and his parents and siblings moved to Honolulu, Hawaii and attended Waipahu Elementary School for a year.  Subsequently, his family moved to California where he attended Ravenswood Middle School for less than a year before moving back to American Samoa in 1990.  Upon returning home to American Samoa, Nu’usila continued attending Pago Pago Elementary School, where he graduated eighth grade and went on to attend Samoana High School.  Samoana High School is where Nu’usila met his group of close friends, Solosolo, Simi, Alex, Sam, Allen, Jacob, and the late Joshua & Mark.  Together, they formed a band of brotherhood. 

During Nu’usila’s four years of high school, he played football and sang in an acapella group with his group of friends.  He was a very talented man when it comes to singing.  He had a euphonious voice!  In 1996, he graduated from Samoana High School and attended American Samoa Community College soon after.  On July 9, 1999, Nu’usila completed and graduated from the 21^st Police Recruit Academy, in American Samoa.  On January 10, 2020, he officially resigned as a Lieutenant Police Officer after twenty years of service to further his education through Brigham Young University Pathway (BYU-Pathway) program.  Upon completion of his core classes with BYU-Pathway, Nu’usila was accepted into BYU Idaho to pursue a four-year degree in Criminal Justice.  Preceding his death, Nu’usila worked for U.S. Magnesium, UPS, and FedEx.  Ensuing his death, Nu’usila was accepted by Walthourville City Police Department to continue his career as a Lieutenant Police Officer to serve in Liberty County, Georgia.

From 2000 – 2012, Nu’usila was married to his first wife, Noanette Snow and together, they had a daughter, Christiana Florence Faafeai Nu’usila, who is currently a senior in high school.  From 2014 – 2020, he was married to Oreta Mapu and together, they had a daughter, Mausali Rosa Nu’usila, who was born in August 2015 and was called home by our Heavenly Father in November 2015.  Nu’usila loved his children.  He made sure his daughter Christiana’s needs were met and always looked out for her best interest.  He spoke highly of his daughter and how proud he was of her accomplishments.

Nu’usila moved to the United States in February 2020 and later married Anosi Liufau Pitolau-Nu’usila on February 14, 2021, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Hinesville Ward in Liberty County, Georgia.  Anosi is a daughter to Lanuola Taimane Wright Pulepule and the late Etuale Liufau Tago Pitolau.  Despite their very brief marriage, Nu’usila and Anosi have known each other since Primary.  They grew up together in the same church, Pago 1st Ward, they were classmates in high school, and both graduated high school and seminary together.  They also attended American Samoa Community College after High School and from there, they went their separate ways.  Nu’usila was deeply in-love and happy with his now widowed wife Anosi.  Nu’usila constantly talked about their relationship and marriage, describing it as, “something I have been looking for all my life.”  Nu’usila often expressed how happy he was with his marriage and how excited he was about the future and spending his life with his wife for all time and eternity.   

He served as a Young Men Leader, First Counselor to Bishop Taua’i and High Councilman for Pago Pago Samoa Stake for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Tutuila, American Samoa.

Nu’usila holds the chief title, Vaioali’i on his father’s side of the family since 2014 to present.  His presence in his families’ lives has been a blessing.  He was full of life, love, and laughter.  He enjoyed singing, cooking, and most of all, he loved and enjoyed spending time with his wife and family.  Family meant a lot to Nu’usila.  Anyone who knew him knows how much he values family and time spent with family over everything else.  Nu’usila was the type of person his family loved the most, relied on the most, was proud of the most and was a loud and loving uncle to all his nieces, nephews, and cousins.  He loved his family and always wanted everyone to come together when he visits.  He was very family-oriented and always looked out for others.  He took care of everyone.  He loved everyone and was loved in return.  He was definitely a mama's boy!  Nu’usila was a selfless servant of God, to his family, friends, and his country.  He always put the needs of others before his own.  Nu’usila was a very strong-willed, determined, and vocal person because he always wanted the best for his siblings, children, nieces, nephews, and his wife.  Although he is no longer here with us physically, but the memories we have of him will live on forever within our hearts.

Nuusila is survived by his devoted wife Anosi Liufau Pitolau-Nu’usila, mother, Faafeai Moors Taala, three sisters, Luneta Liufau, Sifitiuta Faifeau, and Manamea Fatiau, one brother, U’ulopaimoana Nu’usila, and his daughter, Christiana Florence Faafeai Nu’usila.

Matthew 11:28-30

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

A Bishop Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Hinesville Ward, 220 Sandy Run Drive, Hinesville, Georgia 31313. To view the service via Livestream please visit www.facebook.com/cfhbchapel2.

Arrangements are provided by Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel. To share a memory or leave a condolence, please visit www.carteroglethorpe.com.