Salvador Elias Cepeda

Salvador “Sal” Elias Cepeda was born on December 19, 1964, in the vibrant neighborhood of Harlem, New York, to the late Francia Montás and Luis Felipe Cepeda, immigrants from the Dominican Republic. He passed away on September 18, 2026, following a valiant fight with an illness incurred during his military service. He was 61. He leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and resilience that those who knew him will forever cherish.

Sal was predeceased by his parents and brother Dictelio, and is mourned by his devoted wife of 19 years, Hannah. He was the proud father of five children: Chelsea and Rachel, from his first marriage of 21 years, and Nikolas, Alexander, and Luke, from his marriage to Hannah, all of whom carry forward their father's indomitable spirit. His grandchildren, Diego, Elena, and Eliana, brought him immense pride and happiness. He is survived by his siblings, Gisela, Francess, Luis, and Jose, with whom he shared a lifetime of stories, jokes, pranks, and the kind of history that only siblings can share. His childhood friends from around the block made up the “Serious 5,” a group of friends he remained in contact with through adulthood, though anyone familiar with his quick wit and willingness to help his brothers prank their sister might question just how serious they actually were. His laughter and stories will live on in all of their hearts.

Sal's early life was filled with curiosity and a passion for learning, which eventually led him to earn a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management and, later, two Master’s degrees in Human Resources Management and Mental Health Counseling, respectively. He was also an honor grad from Non-Commissioned Officer School, a testament to his commitment to education and self-improvement. His education was not simply about collecting credentials. He had a genuine desire to understand people, history, ideas, and the world around him.

A man of immense intellect and discipline, Salvador served with distinction in the United States Marine Corps from 1982 to 2004. As a "Marine Mustang," he rose from the enlisted ranks to Major, serving with valor in Beirut in 1984 as part of the Multinational Force (MNF) and in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. His expertise in air command and control operations was recognized through his published study, "Developing the Air Command and Control Generalist".

Sal’s extensive military honors and distinctions include: the Rifle Expert Badge, Pistol Expert Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (w/1*), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (w/1*), Marine Corps Recruiting Ribbon, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (w/5*), and the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.

Following his military service, Sal directed the same discipline and curiosity toward understanding the human mind. He pursued a career as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), establishing Cepeda Counseling & Consulting in Gilbert, Arizona. He specialized in behavioral health and clinical supervision. It was a fitting second career for someone who spent so much of his own life thinking deeply about people, emotions, resilience, and what makes us who we are.

But a list of accomplishments can only explain part of Sal. He was fiercely intelligent, physically formidable, relentlessly curious, and could easily make anyone laugh without trying. Sarcasm came naturally to him. Salvador was an ardent fan of Marvel comics. His fascination with sci-fi and history, and his love for the show "Jeopardy!" were well-known among friends and family. His backbone and fighting spirit are what allowed him to be a loyal supporter of the Mets and the Giants. His early love of Bruce Lee and his Chinese martial arts grandmaster, Ip Man, led him to martial arts, where he earned a black belt in Go-Ju Ryu karate and a brown belt in Aikido.

And then there was Sal in the 1980s. The same confidence that carried him through a career in the Marine Corps apparently also convinced him that he could pull off some particularly daring fashion choices. Those who knew him then have the photographs to prove it.

Salvador was physically formidable, yet his greatest strength lay in his mental fortitude and his quick wit.

His life was not without hardship or mistakes, and perhaps most commendable was his willingness to acknowledge where he had room to grow and change, learn from it, and continue forward rather than allowing regrets to have the final word. His iron will, keen mind, and love of a challenge were cornerstones of his character. He was perpetually learning, always expanding his understanding of the world, and practicing meditation to deepen his insight into the mind. He was never content simply to move through the world without trying to understand it.

Above all, Sal loved his children. Of all the titles, degrees, ranks, accomplishments, and honors he earned during his life, being their father was among the most important parts of who he was.

Sal lived with intensity. He served his country for more than two decades, rose from enlisted Marine to Major, pursued higher education, earned a black belt in martial arts, built a second career devoted to helping others, raised five children, became a grandfather, read and learned voraciously, laughed often, argued passionately, and remained unmistakably himself throughout it all. One of Sal’s favorite lines came from Braveheart: “Every man dies, not every man lives.”

Sal really lived.

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