Mataaga "Matt" Salave'a Siamani's Obituary
Mataaga (Matt) Salave’a Siamani was born on July 25th, 1959, in American Samoa. He was the youngest of 11 children.
As a child, Matt attended elementary and middle schools in American Samoa. He moved to Compton, California during his teenage years. He then graduated from Dominguez High School in Paramount, California in June 1978.
After high school, Matt served in the US Army as a Ranger in the Infantry Corps for 11 years. He was stationed in Fort Ord, California, Korea, Germany, Canada, Alaska, and Panama. During his time in the military, he played softball for the US Army team as a first baseman and received numerous awards. Additionally, he received awards for his expert marksmanship. He also played volleyball during his time in the Army, as well.
After serving in the Army, he moved to Utah and started working at Dominion Energy (Questar) in Salt Lake City, Utah for 24 years. While working at Dominion he met the love of his life, Susan, and they were eventually married and sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. Soon after they welcomed Manu into their family.
Matt has a love of animals. Besides having many cats of his own, he fed a feral cat community for several years and helped get many cats into local rescues. He enjoyed going to a local pond where he would feed the squirrels. He would often visit dog parks that were close to where he lived. Watching wildlife and enjoying nature brought him great happiness.
Matt enjoyed the quiet and peacefulness of fishing at local ponds. He would catch and release. Matt enjoyed fishing with his son when he was younger. He also helped many kids and adults with setting up their fishing lines. Matt was known to give bait, lures, supplies and even fishing poles to encourage the younger kids the enjoyment of fishing.
Matt was a big Los Angeles Lakers fan. As a family, they visited the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, and were able to watch some of the games in person. He also loved the Los Angeles Dodgers and had the opportunity on Father’s Day to watch his team play.
Matt was involved in many sports. He was an avid and successful baseball and cricket player in his teenage years. He played in bowling leagues and tournaments. However, his all-time favorite sport is golf. He loved the time spent with his friends at the Poly Golf Club.
Matt was a beloved uncle to his many nieces and nephews. He was kind, gentle and spent time with them – even as a babysitter, although he slept at times and the kids babysat him! He is loved by his sisters and brother and will be sorely missed.
He is survived by his wife Susan, son Manu, three sisters, Fono Wilson, Taeleolo Salave’a, and Tuua Amosa, and a brother Siamani Salave’a, as well as countless family members and his beloved cats. Matt is preceded in death by both his parents Siamani and Peka Salave’a, five older sisters Solotai Fili, Viiga Finau, Savali Heassler, Fiatuina Salave’a and Faletausala Salave’a, and a brother Siaosi Salave’a.
We want to thank Intermountain Medical Hospital Thoracic ICU 2nd floor, many doctors, nurses, and staff that provided excellent care during Matt’s multiple surgeries and care for six weeks. They were like family.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 7th, at 12:00 pm at the LDS Chapel located at 1327 W. 5550 S., Murray, Utah. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 6th from 5-7 p.m. and from 10:45 am to 11:45 am at the chapel prior to the services.
Those unable to attend are invited to livestream services through this Zoom link. https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5IBVAJ-JR7GjftJkajCddQ#/registration
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to CAWS – local animal rescue. https://caws.org/tribute-donations/
"You left us too soon, that we know,
Sometimes you must let the big ones go.
Wished you’d stayed longer, that wasn’t the plan,
Your time on earth wasn’t determined by man.
The body was tired, you’re finally at peace,
And now in your honor, we catch and release."
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