George Meraz Zaldivar

George Meraz Zaldivar
Arkport
George Meraz Zaldivar age 59 of Arkport, New York, passed away peacefully at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, NY on February 2, 2025.
George was born in Durango, Mexico the son of Victor and Maria Elena (Meraz) Zaldivar, and moved to the United States with his family at 3 years of age. He attended Catholic School, graduating from Bishop Mora Salesian High School of East LA in 1983. George devoted much of his life to caring for others especially working with senior adults. After moving to Western New York with his family, George purchased ElderCare Family Type Home on Elizabeth Street in Hornell, and operated there until he began to encounter various health issues, finally closing his business in January of 2024. In George’s final position he helped uninsured or underinsured patients in the UR hospital system find appropriate public insurance coverage. He was based at Noyes Memorial Hospital in Dansville, where he was surrounded by lovely people who became his family.
George loved life and lived life to the fullest with joy. He was often humorous and entertaining. He was proud of his heritage, and raised his children to be proud of it, as well. He was giving and generous to everyone he met, sharing with others whatever they might need: his time, his knowledge, his emotional or financial support.
He was predeceased by his parents Victor and Maria Zaldivar.
George is survived by his wife Renata (Trapp) Zaldivar, his daughter Elena Zaldivar, his 2 sons Xavier (Giselle) Zaldivar, and Ian (Kathryne) Zaldivar, his siblings Victor (Pamala) Zaldivar, Mario Zaldivar, Raul (Norma) Zaldivar, Jesse (Goldie) Zaldivar, and Maria (Ruben) Guerrero, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, niece, nephews and godchildren.
The family will be present on Saturday (February 15, 2025) from 11am-1:00pm at the Bender-Brown & Powers Funeral Home 354 Canisteo Street, in Hornell, with a Funeral Service at 1:00pm with Deacon Robert McCormick officiating. All are invited to a dinner to follow at the Arkport American Legion to celebrate George’s life.
George will receive a Mass of Christian burial at St Helens Roman Catholic Church of South Gate, California on Saturday March 8th at 11:00am also to be followed by a dinner.
Donations in George’s memory can be made to the LA Zoo, where the Zaldivar’s were family members for many years.
To send a remembrance please visit www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com or on Facebook @ Brown Powers FH, where the service on February 15, 2025 will be livestreamed on the Funeral Homes Facebook page.