George Michael McGinn Jr.

George Michael McGinn Jr., 77 longtime resident of Georgetown, Texas passed away on June 19, 2021 after a long illness, surrounded by the family who adored him.  He is survived by his devoted wife of nearly 55 years, Heather McGinn and his three children: Michael (Angel) of Austin, Kevin (Angela) of Durham, North Carolina, and Maureen (Anthony Salerno) of Pflugerville.  He was the proud grandfather of ten: Ian, Sara, Avery, Liam, Ella, Evan, Owen, Kevin, Alex, and Juliana.  He will be greatly missed by his mother, Grace McGinn of Montreal, his sister Anne (Jim) Rowen also of Montreal, and his brother Charles (Anne), of Gloucester, Massachusetts.

George was born on October 9, 1943 to the late George McGinn Sr. and Veronica McMahon.  He was raised in Philadelphia and Montreal where he attended Loyola High School.  After graduating from Loyola, he went to Fairfield University in Connecticut where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and then to The Wharton School of Business where he earned his MBA.  After completing his education, he married the love of his life, Heather and they moved from Canada to the United States.

George liked to say he had two employers in his life: the United States Government and the Celanese Corporation.  In 1966 he both joined Celanese and enlisted in the Navy where he spent five years as a supply officer.  After his honorable discharge, he returned to Celanese where he held a variety of leadership roles in sales and marketing that allowed him to travel all over the world and live overseas in Brussels, Singapore, and Shanghai.  Notable roles included Vice President of International Chemicals Sales, Director of Chemical Sales Europe, Vice President of Commodity Chemicals Sales in Singapore and President of the China Region.  It was no surprise that he found such success and joy in a career based in forming relationships—George was a talker and found a way to share a smile or a joke with everyone he came in contact with.  In 2005, he retired and he and Heather returned to the United States to live in Georgetown, Texas just “up the road” from their children and grandchildren.

In retirement, George enjoyed playing golf, volunteering in his church community at St. Helen’s, playing countless rounds of Don’t Break the Ice with his grandchildren, watching the Habs and the Yankees, and traveling with Heather.  In 2012, he suffered a catastrophic stroke and despite a grim prognosis continually defied expectations with his characteristic good attitude and humor.  While there is comfort and gratitude for those nearly nine “bonus years” with George, his absence will be greatly felt by all those who loved him.  May his memory be a blessing.  The family would like to extend special thanks to the wonderful staff at Austin Speech Labs where George received weekly therapy, to Silverado Hospice and to the Memory Care staff at the Village at the Triangle.

A Visitation will be held at The Gabriels Funeral Chapel, 393 North IH 35, Georgetown, TX 78628 on Thursday, June 24th from 6:00-8:00 PM with the Rosary at 7:00 PM.  The funeral mass will be held at St. Helen’s Catholic Church, 2700 E University Ave, Georgetown, TX 78626 on Friday, June 25th at 1:30. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Austin Speech Labs 7800 Shoal Creek Blvd, Suite 136-S Austin, TX 78757 or Brookwood in Georgetown, 905 N. Church St., Georgetown, TX 78626.