Cyrus Amado Salazar Jr., (CJ), 17, of Brandywine, Maryland, passed away on Tuesday, December 5,
2023, at University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. Cyrus is a believer in Jesus Christ and
attended South Potomac Church. He was born four weeks early. He was supposed to be a Christmas baby,
but decided to make his debut for Thanksgiving instead. Born November 26, 2006, in Arlington, Virginia,
he was the easiest laid back baby. He had a contagious smile from the very beginning.
His eyes were always beaming with joy. His demeanor was easy and outgoing. People were always drawn
to him, even at a young age.

He was coordinated and excelled at every sport he tried. As a toddler he did karate, basketball, T-ball,
swim, and soccer. As he grew he played baseball and basketball, but was drawn to soccer and swim.
He also excelled in playing the piano and would continually play even when his father was teleworking.
He dedicated eight years to Taekwondo and earned his 2nd Degree Black Belt alongside Kiera and
Christian. He enjoyed being “Big Brother” to his five younger siblings. He always had a smile or a
treat for them. Always the life of the party, willing to dance or crack jokes, read to them, watch
cartoons, and color, play Barbies, Legos, or puzzles, he was their constant. He gave the best hugs and
always said I love you! He took part in the girls’ makeovers and he let them paint his nails. Even in the hospital,
the medical team commented on his cute pink toenails.

He spent his summers between soccer and Smallwood Village Swim Club and on the Marlin swim team.
He also became a lifeguard this year and even earned his Pool Operator’s License. During the school
year he swam for ASTS and he played for his FCC travel club soccer team and made time for High
School soccer at Southern Maryland Christian Academy. He refereed both outdoor soccer and indoor
futsal when he had time. During the winter he played futsal and refereed games, effectually, being at the
Southern Maryland Sportsplex for the entire day.

He loved coaching “my kids,” as he called them. He assisted coaching the U10 and U8 boys had a
special place in his heart. He loved teaching the Junior Marlins to swim. He loved kids and always
commented he could not wait to become a dad. He would have been the best dad!
He was dual enrolled at the College of Southern Maryland and loved his communication class. His final
presentation was going to be about his mother.

CJ was the best big brother and loved his siblings, parents, friends, and family well. He was a leader on
and off the pitch, court, and pool. Cyrus shined brightly!

In addition to his parents, Cyrus and Rebecca, Cyrus is survived by his siblings Kiera, Christian, Kiana,
Kyla, and Kylee; maternal grandparents Conce and Shirley Fresquez; paternal grandparents David and
Mary Serna; also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, to include Margarita Fresquez, Celina Fresquez,
Conce Fresquez III, Nino Matthew Fresquez, Nina Crystal Fresquez, Daniel Fresquez, Krease Gansen,
Autumn Serna, and Dee Andawasi, cousins, other relatives and friends.