Obituary for George Castaneda, Jr.
Castaneda, George, Jr.
Saginaw, MI
Formerly of Chicago, IL
Our beloved brother, uncle, great-uncle, and friend, George Castaneda, Jr, passed away peacefully in the afternoon hours of Saturday, November 26, 2022 at the Detroit Medical Center - Harper University Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. Age 63 years. George was born on October 5, 1959 in Saginaw, Michigan to the late George M., Sr. and Gregoria (Zapata) Castaneda. He was a 1977 graduate of Bridgeport High School. Following high school, George furthered his education by attending Delta College and later received a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from Michigan State University. George worked as an Aid at the State Capitol in Lansing for the Speaker of the House while attending college; he was proud and honored. After graduation, George began working for Dow Chemical and Dow Corning in Midland, Michigan. A few years later, George moved to Chicago where his career in Engineering would begin with Moen Corp., Pfizer, and Abbott Laboratories. George attended Cornerstone Christian Center and was a member of the Bridgeport Gun Club. He was a member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers; he and a friend created the first Chapter at M.S.U. George loved skiing, golfing, gardening, boating, fishing, and traveling. George enjoyed cooking; his family will miss his specialty salsa. He had a love of restoring cars and enjoyed watching NASCAR. George was a diehard sports fan; cheering on all M.S.U. teams, the Lions, Tigers, and Red Wings. George’s world revolved around his family; he enjoyed all family holiday events and was very supportive of all of his nieces and nephews. George will forever be remembered as a caring and generous person; helping family and friends in any time of need.
Left to cherish his memories are his seven siblings, Daniel Castaneda of Alma, MI, Yolanda (Rudy) Flores of Waterville, OH, Mary (Michael) Gonzales of Waterford, MI, Diana (Kevin) Holt of Grand Blanc, MI, Margo (Marty) Wazbinski of Midland, MI, Rosemary (James) Konieczka of Sanford, MI, and Elizabeth (Ridley) Nimmo of Clio, MI; 17 nieces and nephews, Chastity (Donald) Cook, Trisha (Kyle) Rolfes, Jon Paul (Ashely) Armola, Rebekah (Robert) Kennedy, Michael Gonzales III, Melissa Wazbinski, Gabriella Gonzales, Matthew (Ashley) Wazbinski, Corbin (Julia) Holt, Aaron Gonzales, Marlea (Jordan) Ortiz, Julia (Cody) Roseberry, Hayley Konieczka, Lauren (Jeffrey) Kline, Victoria Konieczka, Alexis Nimmo, and Tamrah Konieczka; 11 great-nieces and great- nephews; uncles and aunt, Gilbert (Mary) Castaneda and Michael Vanegas; and numerous cousins and friends. George is happily reunited with his parents, George M., Sr. and Gregoria (Zapata) Castaneda; great-nephew, Beckman James Armola aunts and uncles, Joseph (Sophia) Zapata, Bonifacio (Maxine) Zapata, Jesusa (Ysidro) Zapata-Cruz, Jacinta Vanegas, Minerva Pina and Pete (Nicolasa) Salazar; and grandparents, Trinidad and Nieves (Esquivel) Zapata, Manuel and Maria Antonia (Menchaca) Castaneda.
George’s family would like to extend a very special Thank You to the staff of Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital, Covenant Select Specialty Hospital, Detroit Medical Center, and Winter Village of Frankenmuth for the extraordinary care and compassion provided to George and their family during his medical care.
The Funeral Service will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 2, 2022 at the Cornerstone Christian Center, 6674 Junction Rd., Bridgeport, MI 48722. Officiating will be Pastor Kim Frank. Immediately following the funeral service, family and friends will travel in procession to Spaulding Township Cemetery for Committal Prayers and Interment. Visitation will be held at church on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial to “Cornerstone Christian Center”. Arrangements have been entrusted to The Snow Funeral Home, www.snowfuneralhome.net
Saginaw, MI
Formerly of Chicago, IL
Our beloved brother, uncle, great-uncle, and friend, George Castaneda, Jr, passed away peacefully in the afternoon hours of Saturday, November 26, 2022 at the Detroit Medical Center - Harper University Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. Age 63 years. George was born on October 5, 1959 in Saginaw, Michigan to the late George M., Sr. and Gregoria (Zapata) Castaneda. He was a 1977 graduate of Bridgeport High School. Following high school, George furthered his education by attending Delta College and later received a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from Michigan State University. George worked as an Aid at the State Capitol in Lansing for the Speaker of the House while attending college; he was proud and honored. After graduation, George began working for Dow Chemical and Dow Corning in Midland, Michigan. A few years later, George moved to Chicago where his career in Engineering would begin with Moen Corp., Pfizer, and Abbott Laboratories. George attended Cornerstone Christian Center and was a member of the Bridgeport Gun Club. He was a member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers; he and a friend created the first Chapter at M.S.U. George loved skiing, golfing, gardening, boating, fishing, and traveling. George enjoyed cooking; his family will miss his specialty salsa. He had a love of restoring cars and enjoyed watching NASCAR. George was a diehard sports fan; cheering on all M.S.U. teams, the Lions, Tigers, and Red Wings. George’s world revolved around his family; he enjoyed all family holiday events and was very supportive of all of his nieces and nephews. George will forever be remembered as a caring and generous person; helping family and friends in any time of need.
Left to cherish his memories are his seven siblings, Daniel Castaneda of Alma, MI, Yolanda (Rudy) Flores of Waterville, OH, Mary (Michael) Gonzales of Waterford, MI, Diana (Kevin) Holt of Grand Blanc, MI, Margo (Marty) Wazbinski of Midland, MI, Rosemary (James) Konieczka of Sanford, MI, and Elizabeth (Ridley) Nimmo of Clio, MI; 17 nieces and nephews, Chastity (Donald) Cook, Trisha (Kyle) Rolfes, Jon Paul (Ashely) Armola, Rebekah (Robert) Kennedy, Michael Gonzales III, Melissa Wazbinski, Gabriella Gonzales, Matthew (Ashley) Wazbinski, Corbin (Julia) Holt, Aaron Gonzales, Marlea (Jordan) Ortiz, Julia (Cody) Roseberry, Hayley Konieczka, Lauren (Jeffrey) Kline, Victoria Konieczka, Alexis Nimmo, and Tamrah Konieczka; 11 great-nieces and great- nephews; uncles and aunt, Gilbert (Mary) Castaneda and Michael Vanegas; and numerous cousins and friends. George is happily reunited with his parents, George M., Sr. and Gregoria (Zapata) Castaneda; great-nephew, Beckman James Armola aunts and uncles, Joseph (Sophia) Zapata, Bonifacio (Maxine) Zapata, Jesusa (Ysidro) Zapata-Cruz, Jacinta Vanegas, Minerva Pina and Pete (Nicolasa) Salazar; and grandparents, Trinidad and Nieves (Esquivel) Zapata, Manuel and Maria Antonia (Menchaca) Castaneda.
George’s family would like to extend a very special Thank You to the staff of Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital, Covenant Select Specialty Hospital, Detroit Medical Center, and Winter Village of Frankenmuth for the extraordinary care and compassion provided to George and their family during his medical care.
The Funeral Service will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 2, 2022 at the Cornerstone Christian Center, 6674 Junction Rd., Bridgeport, MI 48722. Officiating will be Pastor Kim Frank. Immediately following the funeral service, family and friends will travel in procession to Spaulding Township Cemetery for Committal Prayers and Interment. Visitation will be held at church on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial to “Cornerstone Christian Center”. Arrangements have been entrusted to The Snow Funeral Home, www.snowfuneralhome.net