Salvador Edmundo
”
Sal
”
Sotelo Sr., 63, died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003, in San Jose after
a brief illness.
Salvador Edmundo “Sal” Sotelo Sr., 63, died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003, in San Jose after a brief illness.
Mr. Sotelo was born Dec. 9, 1940, in Ontario . Salvador was raised in Gilroy where he remained his entire adult life. He graduated from Gilroy High where he played football, and basketball. He then attended San Benito City College where he also played football. In 1963 he began working for Gentry’s and eventually moved to Gilroy Foods where he was still working for over 30 years. Sal was a lifetime 49er fan but enjoyed watching all professional sports. He loved his family and friends very much. He always had a smile, and his sense of humor was contagious. Mr. Sotelo’s hobbies included drawing, fishing, golfing and his crossword puzzles. He was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Gilroy.
Salvador is survived by his loving wife Susie Sotelo of Gilroy. He is the father of Sebastian Sotelo of Gilroy and Salvador Jr. and his wife Lilia Sotelo, and their child Ezra of Los Angeles.
He is also survived by his mother Gavina Sotelo, of San Jose; his sisters Hor-tencia and her husband Robert Chaigres, Irene and her husband Herman Pena, Alma Sills, all of Gilroy, Alice and her husband Jim Polanco, of San Jose; his brothers, Herman and his wife Christina Sotelo, of Fresno, Ruben and his wife Rachel Sotelo, of San Jose, Mario and his wife Alicia Sotelo, of Walnut, Jesse and his wife Sarah Sotelo, of Hollister; and brother-in-law Alfonso Viscarra of Hollister. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and cousins. Mr. Sotelo was preceded in death by his father Juan Sotelo; his sisters Maggie Sotelo Reyes, Eleanor Viscarra; and his brothers John and Joseph Sotelo. He leaves behind many beloved friends and co-workers.
A Vigil will be held today at 6 p.m. at Habing Family Funeral Home, Gilroy. Funeral Services will begin Saturday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, then to St. Mary’s Church for a Funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Gilroy.
