Alexander Samuel "Sandro" Lopez-Rojas passed away on September 2, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. Sandro was born in Santa Barbara, California on March 2, 1977. He grew up in Ventura, California and lived in the area for most of his life, attending local elementary and high schools. As a child, he was an outstanding athlete, particularly in soccer, traveling to competitions as far away as Hawaii. Growing into adulthood, he found his career passion in food and cooking. He was an accomplished chef, having earned a degree from the Culinary Institute of America in San Francisco, California, and worked in restaurants in various cities, including San Francisco, Ventura, and Santa Barbara. His talent for cooking dishes that were appealing to both the eye and palate delighted customers, friends, and family alike. No Thanksgiving was complete without Sandro in the kitchen, carving the turkey and serving up side dishes for the family.
Sandro's love of cooking and food was surpassed only by his love for family, and especially his daughter Maya. He adored spending time with her, and got to act like the big kid that he was around her. Some of the special times they spent together were at the beach, walking Joey the chihuahua, collecting sea glass, rocks, and sticks. A prized find was a shark tooth and egg. Wobble ball, cooking, and soccer were also favorite pastimes for them. At extended family gatherings, Sandro was the life of the party. No one could equal his moves on the dance floor, his raucous laugh or his giant bear hugs. He treasured time with family, and the love and fun that he brought with him to events will be sorely missed.
Aside from cooking and family, Sandro had many passions. He loved sports, especially the UCLA Bruins, the L.A. Lakers, and the Philadelphia Eagles, who he was ecstatic to see win the Super Bowl this year. He also was fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel outside of the U.S. as a child and an adult. Among other places, he visited the Galapagos Islands, Mexico, Brazil, Belize, Jamaica, Sweden, and the Panama Canal. He loved exploring new places, people, cultures, and, of course, food.
From an early age, Sandro was a magnetic presence, with an easy way around people and a charismatic personality. He had many longtime friendships through the years and was a kind and thoughtful friend to many. Once you met him, he was not easily forgotten. He touched the lives of so many in his unique way.
Sandro is survived by his daughter Maya and Maya's mother, Summer Luna; the love of his life - Ciara Haag, parents Anne Hurst Rojas and Delfino Lopez-Rojas, stepmother Joanne Lopez-Rojas, sister Charlotte Lopez and fiance Joseph Holifield, nieces Julia and Natalie Schermer, and a large, loving bonus family: Kim, Duane and Roman Bell; Kelley, Lance, Amanda and Jack Conrad; Kristin Folse, Colin Folse, Corey and Garret Clark, and Jamie, Susan, Nicholas, Matt and Tyler Wetzel.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established on behalf of Sandro for his daughter, Maya Anne Lopez-Rojas. Checks can be made payable to Maya Anne Lopez-Rojas.
Family and friends are invited to visiting hours Friday, September 14, 2018 from 5:00 - 8:00 P.M. in the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE 757 E. Main Street Ventura, where a Most Holy Rosary will be recited at 7:00 P.M. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be officiated by Fr. Leon Hutton in Our Lady of Assumption Roman Catholic Church, 3175 Telegraph Road Ventura on Saturday, September 15, at 11:00 A.M.
Share your thoughts and memories about Sandro online at www.legacy.com.