Lemon Grove Councilmember Sitivi Faiai’s wife, Lauren Holmes Faiai, is a store manager at Sprouts Farmers Market.
Sitivi Faiai tragically died on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at the age of 50 of an apparent cardiac arrest, as per officials.
Senator Akilah Weber took to her official Facebook handle and mourned the loss of Sitivi by stating,
My prayers are with the family, friends, and students of Councilmember Sitivi Faiai during this difficult time. His presence, leadership, and care for others made a real difference in the lives of many. May he rest in peace
Akilah Weber
Faiai, who went by Steve, was a football coach at Helix High School.
He had been elected in November to his first term on the council. His colleagues remembered him as a jovial yet focused leader committed to improving the lives of young people. Mayor Alysson Snow said,
“When I say he was one of the good ones, that’s an understatement,”
Alysson Snow
During last year’s campaign, Faiai said he didn’t have aspirations for a long political career but was driven to run after seeing one too many closed storefronts and crumbling streets around his city.
Once he told KUSI that,
“I’m running for the students that I coach,” “I’m running for their future.”
Sitivi Faiai
At Helix, he was the defensive coordinator for the freshman team. Other coaches recalled his passion on the field, one said he liked to “blitz the heck out of the quarterback,” and praised his commitment to mentoring players.
The team would cut Monday practices short to break into small groups where students could unload about anything and everything.
Assistant head coach of the JV team, Rolando Abagat, said,
“These kids are going through some things at home” that “no kid should ever go through,” “We just used that as a vehicle to not only connect with the kids but just to love on them — and Steve, being a pastor, he was probably at the front line of that.”
Rolando Abagat
His experience navigating big emotions and personal crises may have served him in politics.
The Lemon Grove City Council has gained a reputation in recent years for vicious debates and accusations of harassment, which sometimes make it difficult for leaders to focus on the area’s most pressing issues, such as homelessness.
In 2024, Faiai said,
“Our community and our city, they’ve become so calloused to hope,”
Sitivi Faiai
Voters ended up kicking out several incumbents in November in favor of new faces. Jessica Heredia, who was elected at the same time as Faiai, noted that just his presence helped improve public meetings. She said,
“He’s a very calm spirit, so he made you calm,”
Jessica Heredia
They worked together on ways to expand services at the city’s recreation center, and Snow, the mayor, suggested renaming that facility after Faiai.
Sitivi Faiai And Lauren Holmes Faiai Were Married For More Than 21 Years
Helix High School football coach Sitivi Faiai was married to Lauren Holmes Faiai in April 2004.
In April 2025, Lauren wished Sitivi a happy 21st marriage anniversary, stating,
After 21 years +, I’m still grateful for every second I get to spend next to this handsome, sweet man God gave me!
Lauren Holmes Faiai
Sadly, their married life ended following the tragic death of Sitivi. Lauren always supported and helped him in balancing his professional and personal life.
Close ones and relatives have poured their heartfelt condolences and prayers to Lauren to stay strong in this challenging time.
Lauren thanked everyone for their prayers through her Instagram handle. She wrote,
There aren’t words to navigate through this time, and without our faith in Christ this would be absolutely unbearable. Cameron, Riley and I want all our friends and family to know the love you’ve shown us today is powerful, received, and we all love you so much. Steve loved each of you deeply and he created the greatest community of friends and family for us to help navigate through this time. Thank you all. We love you.
Lauren Holmes Faiai
Lauren is originally from San Diego, California, and graduated from Granite Hills High School in 2000.
According to her LinkedIn profile, she has been serving as a store manager at Sprouts Farmers Market since April 2010.
Sitivi Faiai And His Wife, Lauren Holmes Faiai, Were Blessed With Two Sons
Sitivi Faiai and Lauren Holmes Faiai welcomed their first child, a son named Cameron Faiai, 21, on September 10, 2004.
Cameron is a 2022 graduate of Helix High School in La Mesa, California, where he played varsity football as a defensive end and tackle.
Standing 6’1″ and weighing 215 pounds, Cameron was known for his physical presence on the line and his contributions during critical moments, particularly in the 2021 season.
As part of a strong Helix team, he helped lead the squad through a deep playoff run, including key victories over Grossmont, El Camino, and Lincoln in the CIF San Diego Section Division I Championships.
He recorded a sack and a safety during his senior year, earning him a spot in the top 100 for sacks in Division I.
Sitivi and Lauren welcomed their second son, Riley Faiai, 20, in 2006.
Riley is also an athlete associated with Helix High School’s varsity football program in La Mesa, California.
Cameron and Riley are currently mourning the tragic loss of their supportive and devoted father, Sitivi Faiai.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- According to Sitivi Faiai’s Facebook profile, he was a worship leader at OB One Church.
- Lauren Holmes Faiai’s mother, Betty Holmes, resides in Spring Valley, California, and attended Sweetwater High School.
