Eti Joe Tuiaea

Eti was born November 11th, 1949, to Joseph and FaAna Tuiaea of Tufuiopa Village, Western Samoa. He attended Marist Brothers School in Apia, graduating high school in 1967. He attended St. Joseph’s College for a short time. He then worked for the Gold Star Company in hardware and movie theater.

He moved to Fatumafuti, American Samoa and worked for Transpac newspaper. He met his wife, Laurie Van Etten teaching in Samoa from Ellensburg, WA, and married her on Leone Beach at sunset on June 1st, 1974. They relocated to Ellensburg where they welcomed their two children, Ana Lisa and Mac Eti. After seven years, the family relocated to the Tri-Cities town of West Richland.

Joe taught tennis to young students and worked for the Tri-Cities Herald Newspaper. He later discovered his true calling at Cavenaugh’s Hotel where he worked in transportation, security, and public relations. He also became the guest experience liaison, as the hotel changed name from Cavenaugh’s, to West Coast, and then to the Red Lion Hotel where he was awarded his Red Ticket for 25 years of excellent service.

In 1980 Joe won the Toughman Boxing Competition for Yakima. Over the years Joe has enjoyed bodybuilding competitions, eventually winning the Mr. Eastern Washington Natural Grand Master’s in 2002. One of his fondest memories was in 2004, trying out and making the roster of the Tri-Cities Rattlers Football team, where he played special team and back-up center, playing with his son Mac to an undefeated season. He also played golf, tennis, volleyball, softball, and studied self-defense. Joe enjoyed performing the Samoan slap dance and was a Polynesian entertainer, as well as family host with guitar and song.

He was an avid fan of college football, particularly the UW Huskies where both son and daughter were student-athletes. He also was especially fond of his role of being a grandfather to Malia and Kiana Ruud. He enjoyed a good joke and claimed to be the best-looking man of his age. After retirement he and Laurie built a home in Pasco, WA and lived there since 2010.

He is survived by wife Laura, daughter Ana Tuiaea-Ruud, Son Mac Tuiaea, sister Emma McMeekin, grand-daughters Malia Jae Ruud and Kiana Alisi Ruud, and son-in-law Jason Ruud. As per his wishes, a private memorial service has been held.