Purely Personal Perspective

Carlos Salgado – December 15, 1983 – June 26, 2010

We don’t often call a man sweet, but Carlos was. He was hard working, dedicated, quiet about his accomplishments, and determined to do what was “right.”

His too short life of 26 years, is already filled with accomplishments— an Altar Server at St. Donatus, a member of their Social Justice Committee, as well as a worker on the Carnival Committee Team (even helping with that wonderful St. Donatus pizza).

Just about a year ago--he won election as a Calumet Township Trustee— perhaps, the youngest to serve. On April 19th, he hosted the Gamaliel organizational meeting; he bravely stepped out for their public hearing at St. Benedict Church. His goal was peace, harmony, and social justice.

His drowning in the Memorial Park pool during the Festival in the Park celebration on June 27th around 2-3 a.m. was tragic and shocking. He was found on Saturday morning.

It appears as though the pool was open after hours. If true, this is an unfortunate turn of events. Unfortunately, the Memorial Park pool has, even in the past, been the subject of some loose administrational decisions— open after hours, by a few for a few. It goes without saying that this is a tradition which should discontinue.

The irony: prior to this horrible happening, praise for the fest was vocal— calling it the best ever. The committee’s hard work had paid off , so it seemed.

As of this writing, the FORUM is not privy to any details—no public statements, or even knowledge of who was there. There are many unanswered questions. Autopsy results were noted as “inconclusive.” The official police report, as of this writing, had not been released.

Attended by hundreds, services for Carlos were held in his parish, St. Donatus, on Friday, July 2nd from 2 until 9. Holy Mass was offered on Saturday, July 3rd.

To the Salgado family, at this time of intense sorrow, we offer our prayers, our sympathy, and our promise to always keep Carlos’ memory in our hearts.