Tevita Atalifo

Jun 22, 2022

If you’ve ever met Tevita Atalifo, you’ve seen him smile. “Storms never last” was his lifetime motto despite facing some bad times in a decade-long fight with cancer a fight that ultimately took his life. On Friday, June 17, 2022, Tevita Atalifo, 40, passed peacefully at Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT while holding hands with the love of his life, Lynsie Chase Atalifo.

Tevita was born on May 6, 1982, in Suva, Fiji to his mother, Tiwili Fasala and was raised by his loving mother and father, Sefeti Semesi in Rotuma, Fiji.

Tevita left behind a wake of friendship and goodwill. Tevita loved the Lord. He loved his family. He loved his Rotuman and Fijian heritage, and was also proud of his US citizenship. Tevita loved music; he loved making beautiful music with his brothers. He loved Rugby and coached the BYU women’s Rugby team for 9 years. He coached like he lived his life, all-in, with tremendous love and patience. But when Tevita could choose how to spend any minute, his greatest love was spending time just being with his wife and his boys.

He leaves behind his wife, Lynsie and four boys, Adam (10), John (8), and twin boys, Levi and Reed (5). But if you asked Tevita, he’d tell you he had 4 boys and hundreds of girls (counting every one of his rugby players throughout those 9 years). He is survived by his parents as well as his 8 siblings, Vula, Maxine, Marseu, Edwina, Christopher, Courtney, Elijah, and Francis.

Those who witnessed Tevita live his life saw what it’s like to be Christian. Tevita was always the first to help anyone in need. He truly had a heart of gold. When Tevita was 20 years old, he joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 2005, Tevita served a mission for his church in the New Zealand, Auckland Mission. He cherished his membership in the church and held many callings. He had a full commitment to the church and to his family.

Funeral services will be held Friday June 24, 2022 at 11:00 am in the Orem 8th Ward Tongan Ward Chapel, 150 East 600 North, Orem, UT, 84057. A viewing will be held prior to the funeral from 9:00 10:45 am at the same location. Please share a memory on Tevita’s tribute wall. https://www.andersonmortuary.com