Salvador Taormina

Salvador "Sal" Frank Taormina Jr., a once-unstoppable force on the field and a legend in the hearts of those who loved him, was born into heaven on February 3, 2025, at the age of 69. His life was a testament to triumph, struggle, and ultimately, redemption.

Born on January 25, 1956, in San Jose, California, Sal was the only son of Maria and Salvador Taormina and the third of four children. From an early age, he possessed an undeniable charisma and athletic prowess. He was the funniest person in any room, a risk-taker with an artist's soul and a craftsman's hands. A champion on the field and a force of nature in every sport he pursued, Sal lived with intensity and passion.

However, the loss of his father-his hero-left a wound so deep that it altered his path. He battled with demons that led to hardship and loss, costing him relationships, his marriage, years of freedom, and at times even himself. The man who once seemed invincible faced battles that tested his spirit for decades.

But Sal was never one to give up. And throughout it all, he still was one to show kindness and generosity to those less fortunate than him. He had a warm, magnanimous, dynamic personality and upon meeting him, he was hard to forget. Either because of the true interest and deep caring he showed for his fellow man, his sheer craziness, or his ability to make you laugh. Everyone has a story about Sal…

In his later years, he found something greater than glory-he found salvation. With the help of his family and old friends who never stopped loving him, he rebuilt bridges, reclaimed his faith, and mended wounds. In the last year of his life the family felt so fortunate to be able celebrate his birthday and Thanksgiving for the first time in many years. At Thanksgiving, in true form, he had the family in hysterics which felt like medicine to their souls that had missed him for so long.

His last Christmas on earth was spent in the home of his only daughter and granddaughter, the first time in a long time they had an intimate Christmas together, and the first and only time he saw her home and the life she had so beautifully created. This turned out to be their last time seeing each other, a poetic ending to their powerful story and a sacred moment we believe put his heart at peace to fly.

In his final years, Sal dedicated himself to preserving the Taormina legacy as a tribute to his parents and a gift to future generations. He did an incredible job locating old articles and newspaper clippings, categorizing mounds of all his father's baseball memorabilia, his mother's life in Italy, converting old family reel-to-reel movies to digital, documenting pictures, and providing these priceless memories to family. We are so grateful to his efforts and the legacy he gifted us all.

It should be noted that just four months prior to Sal's passing, his only true love Colleen, the mother of his daughter, died from a fierce but short battle with cancer. The dream that one day they might heal their past wounds and grow old together faded away. His heart was truly broken and we will never know for sure, but it is rather thought provoking that only mere months later his heart gave out. His last communication to her, in the form of a get well card, was "see you in heaven".

Sal had a light. His story was never just about sports, it is about the resilience and endurance of the human spirit. It is about fighting for a second chance, and when given one, making it count. He ultimately became an inspiration once again-not for what he had achieved, but for how he had risen after the fall.

Sal loved his family deeply. Sal is survived by his treasured daughter Valerie; precious granddaughter Lucia; beloved sisters Lorraine, Diana, and Giovanna (Mary Jane); adored son-in-law Ed; as well as his cherished nieces and nephews Matt, Mike, Jim, Daniella, Vanessa, and their families.

A public Mass will be held in his honor on March 21st at 11:00 a.m. at Queen of All Saints Catholic Church, 2390 Grant St., Concord. A reception will follow at his daughter's home. Please join us in remembering and celebrating his life.

May he rest in eternal peace