George F. Stirrat led development of historic Ford engine
Stirrat, George Francis, 90, of Clarkston, MI; died peacefully on Thursday, January 23rd. Born November 9th, 1923 in Bangor, Northern Ireland; he was a graduate of Belfast College of Technology, served as an apprentice toolmaker for Harland & Wolff (where the Titanic was built), and played football in the professional Irish league for Cliftonville. He served in the British Merchant Marines during WWII as an engineer officer aboard the liberty ship Sampa, surviving its sinking on February 27, 1945. He immigrated to the US in 1947 and began his career with the Ford Motor Company in 1949, while earning a degree in mechanical engineering from Lawrence Tech.
Rising to the level of chief powertrain systems engineer before retiring in 1983, he is noted for leading development of Ford's first small block V-8 221 cid engine in 1962, which became the engine platform for the 260, 289, 302 cid engines in the Ford Fairlane and Mustang, as well as the Lotus race car driven to victory by Jimmy Clark in the 1965 Indianapolis 500.
A past member of SAE, 1st Presbyterian Church of Harbor Springs, Stonycroft Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, and Birchwood Farms Country Club in Harbor Springs, he loved golf, soccer, food, and especially his family and friends. He is survived by his son Jeff, wife Carmel, and granddaughter Christine; daughter Carolyn Doyle and grandsons Matthew and Conner; and daughter Sandra Uridge, husband Brian, and granddaughter Alexandra.
A celebration of George's life will be held on Thursday, February 6th at the O'Brien/ Sullivan Funeral Home, 41555 Grand River Avenue, Novi (248)-348-1800 from 3 to 6 PM, followed by a memorial service at 6 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Lawrence Technological University, designating the George F. and Gloria A. Stirrat Memorial Endowed Scholarship. Memorial gifts may be sent to Lawrence Technological University, Office of University Advancement, 21000 West Ten Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48075-9655, or can be made on-line at http://www.GIVING.LTU.EDU .
Online condolences to www.obriensullivanfuneralhome.com .