Feagaiga Tuisamatatele 1971 – 2025 Honolulu, Hawaii He Lived The Motto: Ask The Chief Martin Luther King Jr. was quoted as saying, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy”. When my brother faced challenges or difficulties, he sacrificed his own comfort and pushed aside his own hardships to help his family, friends and fellow man. Most times, you would never know he was going through a difficult time because he would much rather see you thriving and doing well. Plato once said, “The measure of man is what he does with power”. Many who have served with him got to experience his true nature. One comment that was left on his FB summed up the type of person he was. The comment was, “He would scold you like a mother and protect you like a father.” and just about every comment I read thereafter was about how great of a leader and mentor he was. Whether he was in a position of power or not; genuinely, that’s just who he was. To me, it was never about how much of a man he was, but more so about the type of human being he was and the influence that had on my life. He was affectionately known by many names. Tee, Tatay (Dad in Tagalog), Chief, Dad, Uncle, Bro. For me, he was just my brother. My first best friend. We told each other everything, except when it was something we knew would cause the other pain or heartache or inconvenience. Those, we kept to ourselves. It was then, that I realized how much of an influence he had on me and how it was shaping my life. The Navy was my brother’s first love and he was heartbroken when he retired from it. He wore a red shirt and he bled navy blue. So, I would be remiss, if I didn’t include a quote from another great man. Well known and revered, especially, in the red shirt nation. The late Lt. John William Finn, Medal of Honor recipient and fellow ordie was quoted as saying, “You gotta understand that there’s all kinds of heroes, but they never get a chance to be in a heroes position”. Whether he was simply my brother or a Senior Chief in the Navy, he was a hero to me. I am who I am because of him. He taught me to have thick skin. To be bold and courageous in my decision making. If I didn’t want to do something, don’t do it and not to care about how anyone else felt or would say about it. Being his sister, we had a good, long laugh once during one of our conversations where I said, “I’m the man I am, because of you”. His reply, “And don’t you forget it”. He had the ability to make you laugh as well as be your biggest hype man. He was exceptionally observant and perceptive. He was able to see when someone wasn’t in a good place and would quickly offer up his help and encouragement. He was extremely selfless and giving. Giving himself, his time and his resources just to not see you struggle. To some, he was intimidating and sometimes abrasive, but he approached you and your circumstance with a velvet glove when you needed that quiet comfort and unwavering support. When needed, he used the iron fist approach, when trying to get you to see your true potential and encourage you not to settle. He valued his privacy, his peace and his freedom. So, he was the friend and family member that would disappear for months on end and then randomly pop up to ask how you were doing or ask you to lunch and then, laugh about his disappearance. He loved his dog, Hawk. Named after his first aircraft carrier, the now decommissioned, USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63). I truly believe they colluded with each other to leave together, but Hawk’s timing was a little off. Hawk crossed The Rainbow Bridge and joined his Dad exactly one week later on June 18th. Hawk was his boy, his buddy, his best friend. He was truly enamored with Hawk and celebrated every milestone and each new command Hawk learned in Samoan. Hawk would sit near his bed and watched over him as he slept. They were loyal to one another. They are now joined together, without fear and pain. Surrounded with so much joy and love. My brother enjoying cup of coffee in a seasoned coffee mug with his name and labeled “The Goat Locker”, alongside his loyal and beloved dog, Hawk. It is quite fitting that one of the ships he served on was the USS Bon Homme Richard (LHD-6). Bon Homme translated from French means, good man, and that’s exactly how he will be remembered. Fair winds and following seas, my dear brother. Red shirts lead the way! IYAOYAS! Go, Navy! “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” -2 Timothy 4:7 Services: service — 2025-07-13T10:00:00+00:00, Valley of the Temples, 47-200 Kahekili Hwy Kaneohe, Hi 96744