Mataavatele Sylvesther Lei Manila Jr. also known as “MJ”, was 2 years old when he returned home to his Father in Heaven on Thursday afternoon, March 7, 2019, at 12:08pm. He peacefully passed in his mother’s arms at Primary’sChildren Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT after he’d fought a tough battle with pneumonia & Strep A, for week long. MJ was born February 3, 2017 in Murray, UT to Laulu Mataavatele Manila & Analei Kamarita Maumasi.
MJ is the youngest of three children and was a tough little warrior from the beginning. He was born at 32 weeks, 15 inches and 5. 05lbs.
He spent five weeks in the NICU unit at IMC hospital until he could breathe and eaton his own. He brought so much joy not only to his own family but to any and everyone he came in contact with, from his nursery leaders, ward family, his big brothers soccer team and even Nana’s coworkers, just to name a few. If you’ve met our son he was likelyto make a lasting impression that would stick you forever.
He had such a great spirit and was so full of life. He was able to go to Disney World in March of 2018, a lifetime goal for most people but he accomplished it within the first year of life. He willalways be remembered for his love of strawberries, his laughter, love of movies, dancing, playing and singing.
He may have been the youngest but was the loudest & most fearless. His siblings say he was their savior because when they get into trouble and wouldget a “sasa,” MJ would be the one to shield them. He had a special gift to sense if someone was having a bad day and be the first one to give you a big hug.
MJ is survived by his parents- Mataava & Ana, Nana- Sita, Grandpa- Uaita, Brother- Daniel, Sister- Maybel Rachel, Cousin- SitaMaria also Cousins in Samoa & New Zealand, Aunts- Mary Rose, Caroline Rae, Miriama (Parataiso) & Asia, Uncles- Seilala (Sala),Lalotoa (Sina), Pinati & Reupena (Metitirani). Many more extended family and countless friends. MJ is preceded in death by: Raymond Lei Maumasi (Grandpa), Meipo Laulu Manila (Grandma), Tanielu Manila (Uncle), Esther Rachel Maumasi (Aunt), & Raymond Jr. Maumasi (Uncle).
Funeral services for MJ will be held Saturday March 16, 2019. A musical viewing will begin at 9:30 am – 10:30 am and then Bishop’s service will start 11:00 am – 12:00 pm at the LDS Church Building 895 West 4800 South, Taylorsville, UT 84123. Then our sweetboy will be laid to his final resting place at Crescent Cemetary 11105 S State St., Sandy UT 84070.
All services will be under the direction of Beau Warenski from Serenity Funeral Home. We would like to thank our amazing family & friends here in the US, in Samoa, Australia, New Zealand & Tonga for the enormous amount of Love, support and prayers we continuously recieve. We also want to thank Taylorsville 1st Ward for your unconditionallove and also Germania Ward.
Thank you to Brand Safway for your support and those who are contributing by any means possible. Thank you to Serenity Funeral Home and Crescent Cemetary. Lastly to the Medical staff at the Primary’s who work so hard to save MJtime and time again also their efforts to take care of us while we were there.
We are so grateful for you. We love you all! Please share memories and condolences at www.
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