Salvatore Alfredo Ochoa, 21, of Pacoima, CA passed away on Wednesday April 3rd, 2024 after a two year valiant battle with colon cancer. The family is still grappling with the idea that we now live in a world where this is even possible. Sal was born on July 31, 2002, the first-born son, to parents Jose and Gabriella at Providence Holy Cross in Mission Hills. A lion-hearted Leo he was, with big curly hair, warm skin tone and a heart made of pure gold. Sal had a smile that was LEGENDARY - one that emanated from his eyes and soul and lit up every room. His childhood was spent engaging in every type of imaginative play his beautiful mind could come up with. He built forts out of blankets, full blown galaxies out of Lego’s, and once fully believed he was a secret power ranger in training.
Sal developed a BIG love of sports at the earliest of age, every sport was a new world for him to discover. When he wasn’t covered in grass stains playing ball on a field, he was watching others play or watching it on TV, always in deep study. He developed a keen eye for analyzing the nuances of the game - the tiniest pivot of a batter’s foot, the most subtle twist of a wrist by a pitcher’s release. Sal was an observer. Even at 5 or 6 years old he was always pushing himself to be better, developing the work ethic that would carry him through life.
Sal’s baseball career started at age 3, playing at Sylmar Independent Baseball League. Sal loved baseball and being part of a team fed his soul. Sal quickly developed his craft as a power hitter and loved every aspect of the game. He would leave his mark and walked away with a name that followed him to this day, respectfully and lovingly known as Big Papi. Big Papi he was. Sal played for North Valley Youth Baseball and multiple travel teams while remaining humble when
kids from other parks would approach him like a celebrity.
Sal attended Hubbard Street Elementary where his competitive nature was seen from the playground to the classroom. He LOVED to learn and even more, he LOVED to compete. Sal had a hunger for knowledge like he did life, taking in every bit of it until it was fully absorbed. Sal went to Frost Middle School, where he would establish lifelong friendships. Sal was a bridge between peer groups. He had baseball friends, football friends, choir friends, video game friends and nerdy, Honor roll friends, who would become like brothers to him. Sal met his best friend Nathan there who would ride the wave of life with him until his last day. Nathan and Sal were inseparable and would eventually integrate some other brothers into their lifelong friendship, including Julian and Isaiah.
When Sal loved, he loved BIG! When Sal committed, he committed FULLY. Salvatore poured his whole being into every aspect of his life. His family, his Faith, his schoolwork, friendships, sports, and his love for his fiancé Allisa – if it was important to him, it received the full presence of his Mind and Heart.
Sal met a shy, soft-spoken, creative girl during his 6th period Algebra 1 class, freshman year. As big and bold as Sal was on and off the field, he was just as shy when it came to approaching her. Little did they both know that the exchange of math notes would be the first page to a love story that most people only dream about. Salvatore attended Granada Hills Charter High School as part of the STEM program. He played baseball his freshman year and would transition to football, earning accolades as Rookie of the Year (2018) and Lineman of the Year, 2nd Team All City his senior year. On the field, Sal was
known as Maui. He was BIG. Big hair, Big smile, Big heart and Big love. He loved his teammates and they all loved him. He was a true scholar-athlete. As one of the Captains of the Football team, his performance on the field was as important to him as it was in the classroom. Sal graduated from GHC with a 3.7 GPA, receiving gold merit high honors in 2020. Sal was
recruited by Cal Lutheran University and had the opportunity to play Football at a collegiate level, while pursuing a degree in Psychology. Sal’s commitment to his academics never wavered, he was still in study groups, submitting assignments and taking exams while on a hospital bed in intensive care days before his passing. He was weeks away from walking on stage for graduation, receiving his Bachelors of Arts, in Psychology, with distinguishing Latin Honors, Cum Laude.
Sal had planned to become a Sports Psychologist, helping athletes with injuries, recover and rehabilitate to be mentally prepared to the return of the sport the loved.
Sal leaves behind a legacy that will be honored and treasured by all who were fortunate enough
to have known him.
He is survived by his loving parents, Jose and Gabriella, his sisters, Linda and Elia, and his beloved brother, Tony, who shared many memories and experiences with him. Their bond was strong and their connection everlasting. Tony will forever cherish the moments they shared and hold Sal's memory dear in his heart. Sal also leaves behind his devoted fiancée, Allisa, with whom he shared dreams of a beautiful future together. Their love was a beacon of light, guiding them through life's challenges; joys, ups and downs as she fought alongside him until his final breath. She was more than his Pokémon, Lego building partner, Allisa was his soulmate. They created a lifetime of memories that were cut far too short, but because of their faith will never be apart. He also leaves behind, grandparents, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and countless other
friends who Sal viewed as family.
Sal is preceded in death by his baby brother, Jesse, Uncle Tony, Great Uncle Jules, Chapparo and Great Grandma Esther.
Funeral Services will be held at Shepherd of the Hills Church in Porter Ranch on Friday April 19th at 10am, followed by an intimate burial at the San Fernando Mission Cemetery. The family has planned for a Celebration of Life that will take place on Saturday April 20 from 11am-5pm at Castaic Lake. This will be a time to relax, connect, celebrate Sal’s life and enjoy a sacred place that he found solace in during his journey. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to support The Sal Ochoa Scholarship, to honor his legacy by helping scholar-athletes who have demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity.
