Salvador (Sal) Baca Mena was born April 24th 1949 in Santa Paula California to David and Carmen Mena. He was raised in Corcoran, California along with his siblings as the youngest son of six children. Sal graduated from Corcoran High School in 1967. He then attended San Jose City College, transferred to San Jose State University but ultimately graduated with his bachelors of art degree in Social Welfare from Fresno State in 1973.Sal was the first in his family to earn a college degree. He was inspired by his own EOP&S mentor to become an Educational Advisor to serve underrepresented minority students.
Shortly after graduating he was hired at Fresno City College and worked as an EOP&S Educational Advisor where he proudly served a vast array of student populations for thirty-three years before retiring in 2006. Two of his favorite quotes he would remind students included “Failure to plan is planning to fail,” and “Knowledge absorbs knowledge.” Sal was dedicated to helping his students find success and was admired by his students and colleagues alike.
Sal met the love of his life Teresa in 1980 through a mutual friend. They then later started dating and were married in 1985. Sal and his wife were blessed with a daughter Felicia and son Adam. As a father, he enjoyed attending all his kids sports events, and awards assembly. Throughout his life he infused his Catholic faith and family as his top priority. Sal had a deep faith which encompassed all aspects of his life; his compassion for his students, love for his family, and generosity for his friends and neighbors. Sal and Theresa wanted to instill their Catholic values in their children and made the sacrifice to send them to Our Lady of Victory Catholic School then later to San Joaquin Memorial High School. Sal enjoyed spending time with his wife and kids and never hesitated to do what was best for his family. Sal and Teresa continued to help support their children while attending college and beginning their careers as educators following in their father’s footsteps. His daughter Felicia and her husband Scott have a daughter Adelina and a son Joaquin who were Sals first grandchildren. His son Adam and his wife Denise are expecting their first child, Stella later this summer. This is Sal’s third grandchild.
One of Sal’s greatest passions was American muscle cars and in his lifetime built multiple classic cars. Sal was also very artistic, a trait that was inherited from his father and which he passed down to both his children who are art teachers. His creativity did not end there. Sal was known for his ability to fix just about anything. As a son of a mechanic and with his trusty duct tape and gorilla glue there was nothing he couldn't fix.
Sal was the type of man that could connect with anyone. He was very charismatic, funny, articulate and compassionate. With this type of personality, he easily gained many friends from work, the gym, his neighborhood and parents from his children’s school. Sal was a caring person who valued his friends, family and neighbors. He also strived to advocate for his Hispanic community. Sal will most be remembered for his vivid storytelling, laughter, sense of humor and larger than life personality. He is survived by wife Teresa, daughter Felicia, son in law Scott, their children Adelina and Joaquin, son Adam, daughter in law Denise, granddaughter Stella, and siblings Josie Mena, Christine Marquez, Teri Espinosa, David Mena and his wife Sandra, Susan Syljuberget and her husband Rein. Until we might again in paradise, we love you.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitehurstsullivan.com for the Mena family.
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