Celedonio H. "Sal" Celebrado

Celedonio H. "Sal" Celebrado, passed away June 7, 2009 after a brief illness surrounded by his loving family. He was 94.

Sal was born on March 14, 1915 in a small village in the Philippine Islands, the son of Vicenta and Benigno Celebrado. In 1919 he traveled with his family to Hawaii where his family worked in the sugar plantations. Always trying to build a better life for their family the Celebrados journeyed to California in 1926 settling in Los Angeles, they moved across California following the agricultural growing season. Causing Sal to attend numerous different schools over a two year period of time, there were five in all. In 1928 the family settled near Scotts Creek near Davenport and Sal began to attend Agua Puerca School in Davenport Landing. He later attended Santa Cruz High School graduating in 1935.

He always had a keen interest in automobiles and following high school saved enough to attend and complete an automotive and diesel trade school in Los Angeles. In 1940 Sal met Trinidad Arro while attending a party and after a two year courtship the couple married.

During World War Two Sal and Trini moved to Vallejo where Sal worked at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. Following the war with construction at the shipyard coming to a halt he returned to Davenport where he opened an auto repair business across from the Cash Store. He later went to work for the cement plant where he worked as a machinist for over 25 years.

Sal was a hard worker and a very devoted family man. He believed it was better to live simply and raised his family with those ethics. Besides his family Sal was also an active member of the Davenport Community. He served on the Board of Directors at Pacific School and as Fire Chief of the Davenport Volunteer Fire Department.

He is survived by his wife Trinidad Banio A. Celebrado of Davenport; his sons, Don Celebrado and his wife, Phyllis of Kauai, and Dennis Celebrado of Davenport; daughters, Arlene De More of Mt View, Caroline Dangzalan and her husband, Joe of Santa Cruz, Josephine Gilbert of Davenport, Maria Celebrado and her husband Dante of Santa Cruz, Theresa Celebrado and her husband Carsten of Davenport, Noel Celebrado and her husband Edy of Davenport and Cathy Celebrado and her husband, Michael of Santa Cruz; grandchildren, Deric Dangzalan and his wife, Jennifer of Santa Cruz, Dion Dangzalan and his wife, Kelley of San Jose, Brad Celebrado, Julie Celebrado, Kevin Celebrado, Mark Celebrado, Kristi Celebrado and Maggie Celebrado all of Kauai, Isaiah Lewis and Elijah Lewis both of Santa Cruz, Jonah Celebrado of San Francisco, Brandie Celebrado and Jonathan Celebrado both of Davenport, Jamilla Celebrado of San Francisco, Felizia Celebrado and Marcial Celebrado both of Davenport; great grandchildren, Nathan Dangzalan and Jacob Dangzalan both of Santa Cruz, Jayden Celebrado, Kalin Celebrado, Kean Celebrado, Eli Celebrado and Cody Celebrado all of Kauai. Sal was preceded in death by his parents, Benigno and Vicenta Celebrado, his grandson, David Dangzalan, great grandson, Adam Dangzalan and his son in law, Donald Gilbert.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St Vincent de Paul Church in Davenport, Satuday June 13, 2009 at 10:00 am. A vigil prayer service will be held at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 1050 Cayuga St, Santa Cruz, Friday evening at 7:00 pm. Viewing hours will be at Pacific Gardens Chapel on Friday from 1:00 pm until service time. Interment will be in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery 2271 7th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA immediately following the funeral mass.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent to Pacific Elementary School, P.O. Box H, Davenport, CA 95017, St Vincent de Paul Church, P.O. Box 284, Davenport, CA 95017 or to the Davenport Fire Department, Davenport, CA.