George Francis McAuliffe, Jr. died on November 21, 2024, at the age of 77. He was the eldest son of George F. McAuliffe, M. D. and Sally Edelen McAuliffe.
George, known to some as Dordie, grew up in the St. Matthews neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky, and graduated from Holy Spirit Grade School and St. Xavier High School in 1965. He attended Western Kentucky University.

George’s career was spent in the beverage and catering profession. He loved to entertain and interact with people. For a few years in his 30’s, he lived in St. Croix, Virgin Islands enjoying the island life. But Louisville brought him home. He was an avid sports fan. He could give you the statistics and spreads on all NFL football and college basketball games. The University of Louisville Cardinals was always his home team. Cardinals memorabilia adorned his walls. He enjoyed playing golf, card games, antiquing and tending to his roses and handiwork.

Later in life, George opened Dordie’s Antiques on Frankfort Avenue. He had an eye for vintage items. He loved old clocks, memorabilia, good furniture and lamps. He could be found on weekends at yard sales all over Louisville. He collected items, piling them in his car, taking them home and fixing them up. He found joy in what he discovered. He never tired of the search and the thrill of the find. He treasured the lawn jockey that stood in his front yard as his salute to Kentucky and the Kentucky Derby.

George was devoted to all his dogs. It started with Spooky, a black lab rescue. Then came Cherokee, a West Highland Terrier; Shadow, another black lab; and Mac, a yellow lab. George could be found at the River Road Dog Park twice a day with Mac letting him run with the best of them. The River Road Dog Park became a cause for George. He decided the old concrete patio could be a great resting place for dog owners. It was under a big tree. George dragged a picnic table “from miles away”, taking numerous days, to that concrete patio so owners could rest watching their dogs run. Because the dogs ran, they were hot, thirsty and dirty. George bought a hose and got the city to hook up water so the dogs could drink and get cooled and cleaned off. It was always a bad day when the city turned off the water for the winter or failed to turn it on early enough in the spring. George had many friends at the River Road Dog Park. Another dog park patron made a painting of George walking Mac through the trees. The painting was placed on the trunk of the big tree with a small American flag attached. “George’s Place” was born. George was so proud of that sign, a great tribute to his hard work and commitment to the dogs and patrons at the River Road Dog Park.

George is survived by his siblings, Mary Elizabeth, Robert Lane, James Kevin (Rebecca) and Karen Maureen McAuliffe; nephews, Brendan McAuliffe (Cori) and Lane McAuliffe; nieces, Melissa McAuliffe Atkinson (Tim) and Peyton McAuliffe; great-nephews, William Atkinson and Wyatt McAuliffe, and great- nieces Jacquelyn Atkinson and Penny McAuliffe. George is also survived by his beloved dog Mac.

A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 3345 Lexington Road, Louisville, Ky. on December 16, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. The family will welcome visitors at Holy Spirit beginning at 9:00 a.m.

The McAuliffe family would like to express our deep gratitude to the Jewish Hospital Transplant Team whose excellent and caring doctors, nurses, caregivers and administrative staff enabled George to extend his life for 18 years. It was personal to them. Their care for him will never be forgotten.

Contributions to St. Xavier High School in George’s name are welcomed.

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