COURTLAND – Iese Satele Tupea, 80, passed away Oct. 12, 2024 in his home surrounded by his family. Born in Fagaloa, Samoa, he was a son of the late Tuiloma Saunoa Tupea and Sina Tuilefiti Toilolo Tupea. He was also predeceased by his grandson, Zachary Leilua Sakaria and seven siblings, Tulia Tupea, Epifania Liaina, Lasela Williams, Tuiloma Tupesina Tupea, Matagilemoe Feaunati, Fuailelagi Sinamua Potasi and Alosio Tupea.

Iese was a retired electrician for the American Samoa Shipyard. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and St. Jude Catholic Church where he was the choir director.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 51 years, Lusia Swanney Tupea; five daughters, Kolopa Tupea, Sofia Tupea (Alfred), Faafetai “Rita” Young (Darren), Theresa Haywood (Brendan) and Lucy Tupea (Heiloa); five sons, Joseph “Va’a” Tupea (Tapita), Faamanu “Pete” Tupea, Saunoa Tupea (Landy), Patrick Tupea (Casey) and Jesse “Andy” Tupea (Kristen); 24 grandchildren, Alana Tupea, Alani Haywood, Andrew Tupea, Annie Tupea, DeAndre Young, Derita “Venus” Davis, Enoka Tupea, Greta Hahn, Hana Tupea, Jakob Tupea, Lailoa Tupea, Linda Tupea, Lucia Tupea, Maotaoali’i Mitchell, Millennium “P.J.” Tupea, Paige Tupea, Patrick Tupea Jr., Pete Young, Panaotineru Nofo, Saunoa Tupea, Shyla Tupea, Tiana Young, Tifaimoana Tupea, Vaoita Edwards (Derrick Edwards); five great-grandchildren, Luna Edwards, Marani Edwards, Ivory Edwards, Julianna Matau and L.J. Matau; four sisters, Alofa Leofa, Mulioaiga Maea, Sofia Tatum and Rita Hewitt and one brother, Vaivaimalemalo Itula Tupea.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26 in St. Jude Catholic Church with Father Emmanuel Mensah officiating. The family will receive friends on Friday, Oct. 25 from 1 – 5 p.m. in Wright Funeral Home in Franklin.

www.wrightfuneralhome.org