Obituary of Sauileone Puaina, Jr.

Sauileone "Sal" Puaina Jr, 45, of Iowa City, died unexpectedly on Friday, January 31, 2014, at the University of Iowa Hospitals. A gathering for family and friends will be held from 6-8 p.m., Friday, February 7th at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Sal Puaina Memorial Fund which will help with his children's future educations. His funeral will be held in American Samoa. Sal was born January 14, 1969, in Fagaalu, American Samoa; the son of Tofa and Sauileone Puaina. Sal was a dedicated athlete, playing sports throughout high school and playing football for Iowa Wesleyan College. His passion for football never ceased; Sal was a loyal and vocal fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and the 49ers. He shared his love for sports with so many by coaching youth sports teams, from flag football to soccer. Sal was larger than life, he was a hardworking man with many talents; from artist to coach, to trainer to Iowa Strongman, but most importantly was his heart, Sal had a heart filled with love and compassion. He consistently put his family first in his life. His wife, children and grandchildren were the center of his universe and he tirelessly worked to ensure that they were safe and loved. Sal was also a man of faith, a member of the First Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant. Sal's family includes his wife of 22 years, Mandy Bezoni-Puaina; children, Chelsea Puaina, Olivia Bezoni, Isaac Puaina and Alia Puaina; adopted children, Alicia Steffany, Jordyne Lockhart, Richard Silva and Lacey Yoder; grandchildren, Kaden Brown, Layla Irvin, (and expected very soon) Natalia Martin; his siblings include, Fusi Sauileone, Setu Sauileone, Aulefaamulia Sauileone, Fa'apaia Haro, Puleiau Salave'a Puaina, Kalala Puaina Te'o, Fa'afetai Ali'imatafitafi, Fa'amanu Puaina, Keleise Puaina, Scotty Sauileone and Lisa Sauileone; parents-in-law, Barb and Buzz Bezoni of Mt. Pleasant. Sal's family also includes numerous extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Sinave Petelo.