Salvador "Seth" Velez, IV

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 10^th St., Erie, PA 16511 or Nami, 1611 Peach St. #218, Erie, PA 16501.