He is survived by his daughter, Pier Cosco Salgado, son-in-laws Carlos Salgado and Bill Rodgers, and three grandchildren Alexander Salgado, Micaela Rodgers, and Mitchell Salgado.
Born in Pennsylvania in 1926, Sonny moved with his parents to Cleveland, Ohio and was raised with a large extended family. He joined the Navy in 1944 and was released from service on his birthday, 1945.
Sonny worked as a hairdresser, in construction, and as a welder in a tank plant in Ohio after the war. He met and married Bernadette and where they had one daughter, Tommya, while still in Ohio. The family soon moved to Tustin, California, where their second daughter was born and where much of the extended family had settled. He was glad to be out of the cold, snowy weather.
Sonny always had a love for animals and was soon raising Parakeets and Cockatiels. This developed into a full-time career raising exotic birds. He continued to raise birds until he was in his 90’s, making many friends along the way. He was an avid reader, loved watching old Westerns and Angels then Dodgers baseball, and enjoyed gardening, growing his own tomatoes, chili peppers, and fruits in his garden.
A visitation for Sonny will be held Wednesday, January 31, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Fairhaven Memorial Park Mortuary, 1702 Fairhaven Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705.
A funeral service will occur Thursday, February 1, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 1702 Fairhaven Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705. A graveside service will occur Thursday, February 1, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Fairhaven Memorial Park, 1702 Fairhaven Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Sonny's name to St Jude's Children's hospital, cards can be mailed to Pier Salgado, 22991 Cecelia, Mission Viejo, CA 92691
