SFC Joseph Tusi Faiivae, US Army (Ret.), 75, of Columbia, passed away on Saturday, October 14, 2023. Born in American Samoa on December 22, 1947, he was a son of the late Tusi Hunkin Faiivae and Apitale Asi Faiivae.

Joseph married Gloria Petelo Faiivae on May 3, 1977, and following his retirement from the U.S. Army in 1988, they settled in Columbia, where he worked with the Department of Corrections and the US Postal Service. A recipient of two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart, he served as a Scout-Dog Handler with the 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam. His pride in his military service and his "warrior spirit" never faded throughout his lifetime. Joseph deeply enjoyed the friendship and esprit de corps he experienced through membership in the American Legion and the DAV. He was also a faithful member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church, where he worshiped and served for over 20 years.

In addition to his wife, Joseph is survived by his sons, Hunkin Tusi Faiivae, Dr. Josnel Faiivae, Gabriel Faiivae, and Nelson Faiivae; daughter, Abigail Josephine Faiivae; many loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brothers, Nelson, David, and Matthew; and sisters, Virginia, Irene, and Linda. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Hazel Faiivae.

The Mass of Christian Burial for SFC Faiivae will be held at 9:30 AM on Friday, October 20th, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 100 Polo Rd, Columbia, SC, with Father C. Alexander "Sandy" McDonald officiating. Burial will follow at Fort Jackson National Cemetery. Rosary prayers will be said at 5 o'clock, Thursday evening, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Rd. Ext. Columbia, SC. The family will receive friends following the Rosary, until 7 o'clock.