Salvador Edmundo Sotelo Sr.

Salvador Edmundo
”
Sal
”
Sotelo Sr., died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003 in San Jose after a
brief illness. He was 63.
Salvador Edmundo Sotelo Sr.

Salvador Edmundo “Sal” Sotelo Sr., died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2003 in San Jose after a brief illness. He was 63.

Mr. Sotelo was born Dec. 9, 1940 in Ontario, Calif. He 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 more than 30 years.

Mr. Sotelo was a lifetime 49ers 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.

He 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; sisters Hortencia 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. He leaves behind many beloved friends and co-workers.

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.

A vigil will be held Friday, Dec. 12, 2003 at 6 p.m. at Habing Family Funeral Home in Gilroy. Funeral services will begin Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, then to St. Mary’s Church for a funeral Mass at 11:30. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Gilroy.