Salvador Cawa

Salvador "Sal" Cawa Sr. January 21,1940-August 3, 2025 It is with very saddened hearts that our family announce the passing of Salvador (Sal) Abustan Cawa Sr., 85, of Concord, NC on August 3rd, 2025. Sal was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose life touched each of us every single day in countless ways. We feel grateful, blessed, and humbled to have known Sal the way that we did. We can only pray that his kind, generous heart, contagious smile, gratitude for life and country, and witty personality can live on in every life he touched. Sal was a one-of-a-kind human being. He knew better than to take anything for granted, to appreciate the small things, to focus on the positive, to be generous with his blessings, and live each day as if it could be his last. You never walked away from a conversation with Sal without learning something new or laughing at one of his many jokes. A funeral mass will be held at St. James the Greater Catholic Church in Concord, NC, on Thursday August 14. Gathering with family will begin at 1:30 p.m. followed by Mass at 2:00. Guests are welcome to join the family in the parish hall for appetizers and dessert following Mass. Sal was born into a very humble life on January 21, 1940, in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines to parents Francisco and Nieves Cawa. He was the youngest of six children, Ben, Nena, Nick, Francisco, and Delia. His father passed when Sal was young, and he spent the rest of his formative years in Quezon City with his mother, siblings, and extended family. After completing his first year of college, Sal sought out a better opportunity for himself by joining the U.S. Navy at 19 years old with the encouragement of his older sister and brother-in-law. It was only then that Sal got his first pair of shoes. He devoted 20 years of his life to the Navy and reached the rank of Chief Petty Officer (E7) by the time he retired in 1979. His service included work as a cook aboard submarines such as the USS James Madison and assignments in Groton, CT; Charleston, SC; Newport News, VA; Millington, TN; and Athens, GA. Sal was a very proud service member and that pride grew exponentially when he became a U.S. citizen in 1968. Sal loved his new country and the opportunities it brought to him but never forgot his family or life he left behind in the Philippines. While stationed in Charleston, SC, Sal met Linda Faye Cody. After a short courtship, Sal knew Linda was the love of his life. They wed in 1964 and shared 61 happy years raising a family and making memories together. After Sal retired from the Navy, he made a home for his family in Charlotte, N.C. His civilian career kept him in the food service industry. He served as Food Service Director at various nursing homes in Charlotte before concluding his professional life as a high school cafeteria manager in 2008. Sal and Linda had three children: Tammy Lynn, Salvador Abustan Jr. (Sam), and Angela Koren (Angie). Although Sal was out to sea serving in the Navy during their young childhood years, Sal would call home as often as he could and when he wasn't on assignment, he always made his family a priority. Everyone close to Sal knew how much he valued family and how proud he was of his. Outside of family and his career, Sal's life was enriched by his involvement with the Knights of Columbus at St. James the Greater Catholic Church in Concord, NC, where he was an active member for 25 years. He also enjoyed simple pleasures such as playing cards, reading books, solving crossword puzzles, and keeping up with current affairs. You could often find Sal on the couch with his Yorkie by his side playing a scratch-off and enjoying a Burger King Whopper and a Diet Coke. Nothing brought more happiness to Sal's life than spending time with his family. This included his five grandchildren (Whitman, Ashley, Reese, Alex, and Lindsay) and their families. He was so very proud of each one of them for their accomplishments and cherished any opportunity he had to be involved in their lives. What Sal will never realize is the lasting impression he made on them with his countless life lessons, words of wisdom, and stories from his past. They will forever be better humans because of their Papa. Sal is survived by his loving wife, Linda Cawa, children: Tammy and Darryl Whitson (husband); Sam and Maureen Cawa (wife); Angie Cawa and Michael King (husband); grandchildren: Whitman Groves (Anne Peale); Ashley Cawa; Alex (Summer) Groves; Reese (Shelby) Schiff; Lindsay (Josh) Macek, great grandchildren: Gideon Schiff, Mila Schiff, Parker Macek. In addition, countless nieces and nephews whom he loved and adored. Sal was preceded in death by his parents, Francisco and Nieves Cawa, as well as siblings Ben Cawa, Nena Torres, Nick Cawa, Francisco Cawa, and Delia Paggao. He may have been small in stature, but his presence was felt by all those he encountered. Once he drew you in with his big smile and genuine soul, you knew you had made a friend for life. To all those friends and extended family reading this, we appreciate all the kind words and prayers sent to our family. We know your hearts are also sad and you are grieving the loss of Sal with us. We extend our thoughts and prayers to all of you as we go through this difficult time together. Although Sal's quality of life deteriorated after a long battle with Covid in 2020, he lived a happy and full life until he was called home to be with the Lord. He would not want us to grieve his loss but rather celebrate his life. He was a devout Catholic whose life was guided by his Christian faith. He may be physically gone from this Earth, but his life will live on in all those that loved him. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to The Knights of Columbus Council 7450 at St. James the Greater Catholic Church 139 Manor Ave SW Concord, NC 28025. Condolences may be submitted online at www.scotward.com. Scot Ward Funeral Services, 699 American Legion Road, Conyers, GA 30012, 770-483-7216.

Salvador Cawa

January 21, 1940 - August 3, 2025