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Portrait of Salvador Velez IV
Our son, brother, & friend

Salvador Velez IV

March 23, 2004 – May 26, 2023
Lived 19 years
Fairview, Pa
I HAVE KNOWN LOVE AND LOVE HAS WON I BURNED MY FINGERS ON THE SUN AND I HAVE LEARNED WHAT TRUTH DENIES I DRANK THE TEARDROPS FROM HER EYES BUT I HAVE SAILED UPON THE BOAT THAT FLEW WHEN THERE WAS ROOM TO FLOAT AND I HAVE SLEPT INSIDE THE SHADE ENCIRCLED BY THE LOVE WE MADE I HAVE KISSED THE FACE OF DREAMS AND I HAVE RIDDEN ON THE GLOW
Life story

Salvador "Seth" Velez IV, age 19, of Fairview, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, May 27, 2023.

He was born in Erie on March 22, 2004, a son of Salvador Velez III and his wife, Amy, and Melissa Beer Chivers and her husband, John, all of Fairview.

He was a 2022 graduate of Fairview High School and had recently started working for Precision Rehabilitation Manufacturing in Erie.

Seth was a kind and loving soul whose feelings ran deeply. Fiercely loved by all, he treated everyone with compassion and respect. To his younger siblings, Seth was a world of fun, always spending time with them in games of chase and pretend. He cheerfully let his sisters do his hair in their make-believe beauty salon and roughhoused with the little ones with great energy. Seth's family meant the world to him.

Seth was a naturally creative and selfless person who repeatedly showed the world what it means to care for and put others before yourself. He genuinely cared about the world. Seth's smile could always lift your spirits and let you know that whatever the problem was, things would be okay. Wherever he went, Seth made friends: he was unafraid to strike up a conversation with anyone. He didn't rush through things but instead made time for everyone, always stopping to chat with neighbors on the road. Seth looked people in the eye, listened with care, and made everyone feel seen and loved.

A gentle presence, Seth loved reading books and poetry and had a passion for crafting his own. He wrote moving poems that depicted his loved ones and his world with clear-eyed observation and humor. With his words, Seth could capture a person or a moment. He recently began sharing his work at Basement Transmissions and PACA during open-mic nights: he made a great impression on his audiences there and will be deeply missed by his peers.

Seth was an amazing person, curious and smart. His eagerness and curiosity for learning came unsurprisingly easy for him, which lead him to be well-versed in so many topics, including history, science, politics, and so much more: he undoubtedly held a lifetime's worth of knowledge, and he could talk circles around the adults in his life with his intellect. Seth loved sharing his passions and knowledge with his unique and kindhearted perspective. He gave this great energy as a camp counselor at Camp Notre Dame in Fairview, where he loved teaching his campers. Seth also loved animals and treated them with gentleness and care.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his siblings: Samantha Korynoski; Jace Velez and his wife Erica; Annalee Chivers; Ella Chivers, Laila Chivers and Colin Chivers; his grandparents: Barbara Beer; Albert Beer and his wife Joanne; Salvador Velez Jr.; Marilyn Burgos and her husband Fred; and Mary Chivers. Further survived by many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Preceding him in death was his grandfather, David Chivers.

Friends may call at the Burton Funeral Home, 525 Main St. Girard, on Friday from 4-7pm and Saturday from 10am until the time of service at 11am. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Anna Shelter, 1555 East 10th St., Erie, PA 16511 or Nami, 1611 Peach St. #218, Erie, PA 16501.

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Lifetime

The world Salvador knew

Family milestones in gold, history for context

2004
Born March 23
2005
Salvador was 1 when the first video was posted to YouTube
2007
Salvador was 3 when the first iPhone went on sale
2010
Salvador was 6 when Apple's iPad went on sale
2014
Salvador was 10 when the Ice Bucket Challenge went viral
2022
Salvador was 18 when ChatGPT was released to the public
2023
Passed away May 26, age 19
Tributes and memories

15 memories shared

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Melissa Chivers 31w

Happy Birthday buddy

We hope you’re wearing your favorite Hawaiian shirt, eating homemade fries and cheese cheesecake! We love you

Photo shared by Melissa Chivers
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Melissa Chivers 33w

Cousins

If I could just make you little again

Photo shared by Melissa Chivers
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Callista O 74w

5/26/25

It has been an unbelievable 2 years without you. I hope you love the flowers that I brought you today. I left a poem that I wrote for you, too, and replaced the plastic baggie that your journals were in, since the old one was ripped. I think of you always and miss your bright fun presence. I look for you in everyone. I hope to see you again one day.

Photo shared by Callista O Photo shared by Callista O
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Melissa Chivers 74w

Missing you

I don’t know how it’s been 2 years

Photo shared by Melissa Chivers
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Melissa Chivers 97w

Seth’s favorite

I don’t know how many people knew, but Seth’s Favorite Christmas song was”Dominick the Donkey”🫏 🎄🎅🏼 https://music.apple.com/us/album/dominick-the-donkey-the-italian-christmas-donkey/1437633482?i=1437633484

Photo shared by Melissa Chivers
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Melissa Chivers 97w

Missing you

Like we swallowed the sun and every star 😢

Photo shared by Melissa Chivers
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Joshua Shilling 99w

happy thanksgiving bro

I often find myself still wishing I could send you things that remind me of you. Rest in peace homie

Photo shared by Joshua Shilling Photo shared by Joshua Shilling
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Cashman 814 99w

Sal

Just some good photos of Sal

Photo shared by Cashman 814 Photo shared by Cashman 814
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matthew walker 100w

I miss you buddy ❤️

Thank you for everything, rest in peace.

Photo shared by matthew walker Photo shared by matthew walker Photo shared by matthew walker
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Melissa Chivers 103w

Halloween

Definitely one of you favorite holidays

Photo shared by Melissa Chivers Photo shared by Melissa Chivers Photo shared by Melissa Chivers Photo shared by Melissa Chivers Photo shared by Melissa Chivers Photo shared by Melissa Chivers Photo shared by Melissa Chivers Photo shared by Melissa Chivers
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Melissa Chivers 107w

Colin’s 8th birthday

May you always watch over your baby brother like you did from the day he was born.

Photo shared by Melissa Chivers
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Ella Bonanti 110w

Seth holding the Sun

I remember this day like it was yesterday. Seth invited me over and we laid in the dirt and talked for what felt like hours and headed back to his house through the fields when I stopped to take this picture. Seth holding the sun. I can still hear our conversation and the sounds of the field brushing against our legs

Photo shared by Ella Bonanti
1 comment
Melissa ChiversBeautiful!
Melissa Chivers 112w

Cemetery

Headstone was placed last week

Photo shared by Melissa Chivers Photo shared by Melissa Chivers
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Melissa Chivers 141w

February

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart) i am never without it (anywhere i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling) i fear no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true) and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant and whatever a sun will always sing is you here is the deepest secret nobody knows (here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows higher than soul can hope or mind can hide) and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart i carry your heart (1 carry it in my heart) ee cummings

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Melissa Chivers 156w

Halloween

I know you loved Halloween. When he dressed up as Ace Ventura. Seth definitely loved this costume and had so much fun in it!

Photo shared by Melissa Chivers
1 comment
Ella BonantiThis has always been engraved in my head since the moment I saw him in school that day. It suited him perfectly, now Jim Carry reminds me of him so much.
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