Obituary of George B. Hanrahan, Jr.

George Berry Hanrahan, Jr. died May 14, 2018 in Frankfort, Kentucky.  He was born in Frankfort on December 30, 1949 to George Berry Hanrahan, Sr. and Mary Hettie Carrico Hanrahan.  George was a 1968 graduate of Good Shepherd High School, and received his Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Eastern Kentucky University and his Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Louisville.  George served his country in the United States Navy during the Viet Nam era.  He then served the less fortunate of the Commonwealth as a social worker with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in Gallatin County and with the Department of Juvenile Justice in Woodford County.  After his retirement he worked part time for several years with the  Kentucky Legislative Research Commission.

George loved people and politics.  He learned to walk on the grounds of the Kentucky State Capitol and never lost his passion for government.  He annually attended the Fancy Farm Picnic, in his mother’s home town, where he proudly “heckled” with the best of them.  He was active in Democrat politics and was a frequent contributor to the editorial pages of the Louisville Courier Journal, the Lexington Herald, and the State Journal.

George loved  horse racing and his passion for all things Derby was renown.  He had attended the Kentucky Derby every year since 1970, missing only when he was overseas with the Navy and finally on account of the ravages of Parkinsons’ Disease.  He went to Keeneland at every opportunity and hosted an annual Oaks party at his home, the last being on May 4 this year.

He was a die-hard University of Louisville fan who would not be swayed by any shade of blue.  The only “Cats” he loved were his dear “Maguire” and “Mr. Gray”. 

 George was a member of Alcoholics Anonymous for thirty-four years. The friends whom he made there were among his greatest and most enduring treasures.  

George was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother Pat Hanrahan.  He never stopped grieving the loss of Pat.  He is survived by his dear friend Theresa Edwards of Madison, In.; his sister Susan Hanrahan McCain (Mike) of Willisburg; nephews Michael William McCain, Jr. (Nora), George Hanrahan McCain (Laura Leigh), Terrence Patrick McCain (Hillary), Fergus Cooper McCain (Shelby), and Patrick James Buege (Kelly); nieces Mary Carrico McCain Courtney (Shane) and Kathleen Marie Buege; twelve great nephews and nieces; and his countless friends in AA.

Visitation will be held at Rogers Funeral Home on Thursday, May 17 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. and will include an opportunity for memorial comments and prayers at 7:00 p.m.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at The Church of the Good Shepherd at noon on Friday, May 18. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to George’s favorite charities:  The Salvation Army, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), or the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).  Donations can also be made in George’s name to Good Shepherd School.