Suliasi Vea Kaufusi

With gratitude to Our Heavenly Father and Our Savior Jesus Christ, Suliasi Vea Kaufusi passed to the other side of the veil peacefully on Wednesday, December 04, 2024, at the age of 73. He was born in Koloa, Vava’u, Tonga on September 09, 1951, to Halauafu Vea Kaufusi and Ana Falekihetoa Motumanu. Suliasi was the second child of fourteen children consisting of six brothers and seven sisters. 

Suliasi married his love and eternal companion, Peggy Kula Moala Similai, on May 06, 1982. They were sealed for all time and eternity in the New Zealand Hamilton Temple on May 11, 1982. Together they were blessed to have five children, ‘Ana Falekihetoa (Lloyd), Suliasi (Kasey), Ana’atu, Sofolonia, Folau (Maddie), and were able to raise Sione Similai (Tefini). They have eleven grandchildren, Archeantus, Lloyd, John-Moala, Eleni, Leila, Ofa, Suliasi, Talanoa, Jay, Vuki, and Peki. 

Suliasi was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He devoted his time and talents to serving the Lord and loving the people in any capacity he was called to serve. He served as a Mission President in the Port Moresby Papua New Guinea Mission (2012-2014), Stake President in the Nuku’alofa Tonga Stake (1994-2004), and as a missionary in the Nuku’alofa Tonga Mission (1970-1972). He also served as a counselor in the Stake Presidency, a counselor in the Mission Presidency in the Nuku’alofa Tonga Mission, Stake Clerk, and as a counselor in the Bishopric.

Suliasi graduated from Brigham Young University - Hawaii (BYU-H) with a Bachelor of Science in Biology (1979). As a student at BYU-H, he treasured the relationships he made and enjoyed his time singing and dancing at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Suliasi graduated from Liahona High School (1970) in Tonga, prior to attending BYU-H.

After his graduation from BYU-H, Suliasi returned to Tonga and as a teacher taught Biology at Liahona High School and Havelu Middle School. Later, he went on to work for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Bishopric Office, in Tonga as a Membership Statistics Record Manager, Material Management Manager, and as the Tongan Service Center Manager, in which he retired from prior to being called to serve as a Mission President.

Everyone who knew Suliasi knew of his abundant love for his family and friends. He absolutely loved being a father and spending time with his children and grandchildren. His love and epic smile were gifts that he shared with his family and friends. Suliasi will be greatly missed by those who knew him. Ofa Lahi Atu Suli. 

The Funeral Service will be held on Friday, December 13th, 2024, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake Central (Tongan) Stake Center, 4660 W. 5015 S., Kearns, Utah 84118, at 1 pm.

Interment to follow the funeral service at the Memorial Redwood Mortuary and Cemetery, 6500 S. Redwood Rd., West Jordan, Utah 84084.