George Henry Lourigan

George “Daddy & Grandpa” Henry Lourigan died peacefully in Piedmont Medical Center - Fort Mill on October 3, 2025, in Fort Mill, SC at the age of 93.

George is survived by his loving children, Margie Blair, George Lourigan (Kimi), Kathy Fairfax (Jeff), Pat Lourigan (Doris), Mary Mueller (Dirk), Ken Halton, and Chris Widlund (Eben); and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife, Irene Boerner Lourigan, parents Joseph & Margaret Lourigan; siblings Dolores Lourigan Olson (Don), Rosemary Lourigan Gentz (Carl), Joseph Lourigan, Ronald Lourigan (Karen), and Gerald Lourigan (Mary).

George was born on April 5, 1932, in Kenosha, WI. He graduated from the North Carolina State University in 1955 with a degree in Textile Chemistry and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army Reserves. He married his high school sweetheart, Irene on August 27, 1955, at St. Mark Catholic Church in Kenosha, WI. They moved to Raleigh, NC, where they started their family. Soon after, George received his Master's Degree in Textile Chemistry. Over the next 17 years, they had 6 children. When most of those had moved out, they adopted another child. While providing for his growing family, George became the top Textile Chemist in the Eastern United States for his numerous patents and significant contributions to the development of permanent-press fabrics that we enjoy today.

George was a generous, dedicated individual who loved all and who was passionate about bringing God’s love and the Eucharist to everyone. He did this by taking on the role of leading the Charismatic Movement at St Mary Catholic Church in Greenville, SC. In addition, he spent over 30 years working in the Kairos Prison Ministry, leading countless prisoners to Christ. Every month George would spend an entire weekend ministering to prisoners, helping turn their lives around through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The standing joke in our family was, when we asked mom what dad was doing, she would respond with, "He's in jail again." He was a selfless example of love in Christ’s ministry to all by daily living out what Jesus called all of us to do. Most recently, he was a devout member of the St. Anne Catholic Church and The Knights of Columbus in Rock Hill, SC.

A Visitation/Rosary is scheduled for 6 pm on Friday, Oct 10, 2025, at Bass-Cauthen Funeral Home in Rock Hill, SC. All are welcome. A Funeral Mass is scheduled for 11 am on Saturday, Oct 11, 202,5 at St. Anne Catholic Church in Rock Hill, SC, with a reception to follow to celebrate George’s life at 1756 Shytle Ln, York, SC. Fr Fabio Refosco will preside over the Funeral Mass. All are welcome to attend and pray for the repose of the soul of George Lourigan as we send him back to God Our Father. 

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to South Carolina Citizens for Life at 1411 Barnwell St. #3, Columbia, SC 29201, or Palmetto Pregnancy Center at 828 Lucas St., Rock Hill, SC 29730.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Lake Wylie Assisted Living for their care and dedication, which was above and beyond.

For those unable to attend in person, the Rosary Service and Funeral Mass will be livestreamed. You may click here to join us online.