Fuega Cousins,

I want to acknowledge the beautiful bond you siblings have. Junior may have been the glue to bring you together, but each of you accepted his invite. You emulated Juniors spirit and invited all who love Junior to a celebration in his name. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to celebrate your brother Junior; he is a beautiful soul and it was a heartfelt farewell. The core memories I have with Junior are filled with laughter. Memory lane will not be the same without your brother, so I will re-lane some memories here for your entertainment. (apply Juniors' humor generously to each story) x 2.

~1900's:

- Thank you (freshman) Chooner for convincing me that shots are better in twos...I really needed it because screwdrivers were not fast enough...WTF

- Junior was fascinated with my dads vinyl collection, fascinated NOT impressed. I was showing off, I put a record on the home stereo turntable (no slip pad), I attempt to scratch and the needle breaks. We looked at each other and I asked if he could fix it, he replies "your fvckd"...I died a little, then a lot

- A year or two after I broke my dads stereo system, I tried to rewire the subs and a crossover to a radio. Junior comes over one day and says "why does your system sound kaea?". I proudly show him my simi-rig. He said "no wonder why, you got your flux capacitor hooked up to the wrong terminal"; the whole time he was rewiring, he was clowning me. Nekminut, voila, BASS.

- (pre-Caller-ID) Junior had his girlfriend prank call me to flirt with me. Pimping turned simping when Junior walked in with a big smile on his face and asked "who's on the phone?"...se kefe ia

- I woke up from a party and I asked Junior where the truck was; Junior convinced me that I crashed it and that Kurene went to complete the police report and for me not to go anywhere. All this convincing was with a jovial chuckle...I was scared for my life, Juniors laughing...and Kurene just went to the store...kefe ia

~2000's:

- When I was in North Cali, I had friends and coworkers that were from the LA and SD area. When they would go home for the weekend/holiday I would catch rides with them; Junior would try his best to meet me IF he could, normally we would coordinate a good time; on this particular trip, I send Junior the address, Junior calls me shortly after and says "I am almost there". He arrives and says "what the fvck are you doing here? Do you know where you're at?"....I guess the bad corner of town. (angel then, angel always)

- In this memory, I have a car now and every 20 year old wants a system in their car so I have one installed (in North Cali). I drive from North Cali all the way to LA with the damn system hissing and with jet thrusters when pressing on the gas. Without fail, Junior drives up to LA and sees the car and says "let me hear it"; I turn that system on and it was dejavu...."why does your system sound kaea?"...Junior fixes it in minutes

- I attend a friends wedding in SD, Junior shows up to pick me up but I left, so he's asking everyone everything to find me; the next day Junior picks me up and reminds me of everything. First thing he says is "I hate you people that steal from the bar tip jar to fund their night...and why were you trying to get with your friends mom!? Ai kae, she is not a 10!!"...kefe ia,

- I drive to SD for the weekend, before I leave, Junior tells me to stop by to see him and Elvin at church. I go to the church and I, at 24 or 25 years old, wait for him outside. An old man walks outside and B lines straight to me with a daggers in his eyes as if the demon himself just walked out the church. He walks straight up to me and points his finger in my face and says "aye, o ai lo tama?". I did not see Junior (holding Elvin) nor knew where Junior walked out from; but without missing a beat Junior yelled at him "O LE A?!?! (inquisitively) O AI LO TAMA??? IA, O LE A? WHOSE YOUR DADDY!?...se kefe ia. You better than me Junior, I was just going to usiusita'i to the a'oa'o and go in the church (pelo)

~2020's:

- These past few years have been restricted to text messages, phone calls, video chats, spin sessions and social media dm's and they were always filled with laughter. My sons became familiar with uncle Juniors voice or sessions and yell over me to say "hi uncle Junior".

- The inappropriate dm's were hilarious. I feel like he did it for the reaction and it was only fair that I let him know if he got a reaction or not; mostly yes.

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Dearest Junior Fuega,

I Love You and miss You. Your humor was like a double edged sword, it cut deep and stitched sides. We, the selfish, yearn your presence Junior, please visit when you can.

Pain no more beloved brother, stay near, live free. I'll be seeing you, for sure. Alofa Atu Uso --TM3

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Dearest Elvin Fuega,

As you hear and read stories of your father, we paint his picture from our memory. I want to assure you, your father painted a portrait of you, every time I talked to him. My sincerest condolences nephew. I Love You.

I was blown away to hear about what happened to my good friend, Junior. He was always such a positive guy & made us all laugh.

Working with him was such a privelage & great time. We could always make the time pass with all the jokes we used to crack. I'm going to miss you big bro! We were supposed to go fishing again, but I guess it's going to have to wait until I cross over to meet you in the next life, my boy. 

See you again soon. 

Deepest condolences from your classmates from the Class of 1998 at Fagaitua High School.  Thank you Jr for always lightening the mood when things get tense!  

We could always count on you to slow us down and actually look at the facts!  Tuckers for life my friend!  Rest in peace!

My deepest condolences to Tuliga's family. Junior made every room brighter with his jokes, kindness, and all of the pranks that kept our clinic laughing. I am going to miss our little snack trades at work, our talks, the jump scares from his pranks, the the funny videos he’d catch of me, and how he’d check on me to make sure I ate.

We’ll miss him more than words can say, and I can only imagine the joy he’s bringing to heaven now.

My heartfelt condolences and prayers for the entire family.  Juniors absence is a void that can never be filled. I  had the blessing  of  his friendship for over 20 years. So many memories, endless laughs and good times we  shared. These  memories I will cherish  forever.  Junior filled every moment with laughter, wisdom, kindness and love. These moments forever etched  in my heart.  

Rest easy Junior, we will keep the music playing.

Alofa ia te oe.

Imagining Junior no longer here is like waking up to a world without the sun, moon, or stars. He was such a grounding presence for me and so many others—always showing up with positivity, humility, humor, and a genuine desire to make people’s lives better.

His pranks were legendary. It wasn’t unusual to hear shrieks from the hallway, only to discover Junior grinning with his phone out, recording the whole thing so he could laugh with us (or at us?? lol) later. He always said he just wanted to lighten the clinic mood—and he did, every single day. He truly was the heart and soul of the Escondido clinic.

Family, friends, coworkers, and patients will miss him deeply. Remy and I will miss him so much, too. I can only imagine the pranks he’s recording up there now.

Until we meet again, Junior.