Toni Talia’Uli

Our beloved father, husband, son, brother, uncle and friend Toni Talia’uli (47 Yrs) returned to the loving arms of our Heavenly father on December 17th, 2015 surrounded by his loving wife and children.   Toni was born November 25th, 1968 in Tatakamotonga, TONGA, to Sione and Tapenisi ‘Olivia Olive Talia’uli.  His family migrated to the US at a very young age and he quickly picked up American sports including basketball and played as a center for South High School and was named an All-State player.  Toni received a basketball scholarship to Snow College where he was able to obtain an Associate of Arts Degree.  Later he continued on with his family to BYU-Hawaii where he also received a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree, and afterwards initiated studying towards a Master’s Degree at the University of Hawaii in Public Administration.
Toni met and fell in love with the love of his life, his wife Sisilia in Tonga a week after he was released from serving an honorable full time LDS mission from the Nuku’alofa Tonga Mission.  After a week and a half of courtship, he proposed and she accepted.  They were married for time and all eternity on September 17th, 1988 in the LDS Salt Lake Temple.  His family was everything to him but especially his children.  He supported his children in school and whatever sports they played, and they will miss seeing him as their number one fan at the BYU football stadium and at East High School.
Toni worked in the Substance Abuse field for 16 years and was well known in the field both to his colleagues and to those that he helped, for his generous big heart.  He first became a Substance Abuse Counselor and later became Program Director for Discovery House of Utah for many years.  It was his dream to open up his own Methadone Clinic and it became a reality when he broke off from Discovery House in 2010 and opened up his own clinic known as Tranquility Place in Salt Lake City, which is still up and operating.  He will be greatly missed as the “Best Boss” ever.
Toni was also a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where he was able to dedicate his life to serving our Heavenly Father.  He held many leadership positions as a member including being a Bishop for the Pioneer Tongan Ward.  He leaves behind his loving wife of 27 years Sisilia Vailea, daughter Halaevalu Taue (Sione), son Tony Heston Jr.-TJ, son Merrill ‘Asilusi -Meti, daughter Sisilia Kehaulani -Lani, father Sione, sister Siafo’ou Langi (‘Alipate), brother David (Cecilia ‘Ofa Ma’ilei), sister ‘Olivia Felila (Paane) and many nieces, nephews, cousins, uncles, aunts and in-laws. Preceded in death by mom ‘Olivia Tapenisi Talia’uli. Special thank you to Rocky Mountain Hospice, the Bickley’s, Dr. Charles Walton, Dr. Glynn W Gilcrease and the staff of Clinic 1A of the Huntsman Cancer Hospital.
Viewing will be held Wednesday December 23rd, 2015 at the Pioneer Ward, 660 N Redwood Rd, Salt Lake City, Utah from 8 am to 10 am followed by the Bishops funeral service at the same location at 11:00 am.  Interment to follow at the Redwood Memorial Cemetery.