ASHEVILLE — George Pfaff lived his Catholic faith wholeheartedly in life, and even after his death in 2018, he wanted to help continue building up the local Church.
Like so many others, Pfaff and his wife Jane were transplants to the Diocese of Charlotte, moving from Albany, N.Y., to Asheville in 2004 to be closer to their daughter and her family. Right from the start, George Pfaff wanted to contribute to Catholic causes in western North Carolina.
During their years in the diocese, the Pfaffs contributed to their parish and Asheville Catholic School. They also gave more than $500,000 to efforts that strengthen the Church across western North Carolina: Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte, the annual Diocesan Support Appeal, the Eucharistic Congress, the Seminarian Education Fund and the diocese’s “Forward In Faith, Hope, and Love” campaign.
Jane Pfaff passed away in 2009, and in 2016 George Pfaff moved to Oregon to be nearer to his daughter, Maggie and her family. Two years later, he died at the age of 92.
As part of his estate planning, Pfaff made arrangements for estate gifts totaling $233,000. He left a donation of $100,000 for Asheville Catholic School’s capital campaign, a $78,000 gift to Catholic Charities including an endowment, and a $55,000 endowment for St. Eugene Church.
Father Patrick Cahill, pastor of St. Eugene Church, fondly recalls Pfaff’s devotion to St. Anthony of Padua and also his patriotism.
“George was a devout Catholic who loved St. Eugene and Asheville Catholic School,” Father Cahill said. “I miss him very, very much – especially our Sunday evening dinners together.”
Jim Kelley, the diocese’s director of development, met Pfaff in 2004. He says the development office was first made aware that Pfaff was making a planned estate gift in 2007.
“I knew George for 13 years,” Kelley said. “Within three years of being here, he wanted to remember the Church in his estate. He gave every year from 2004 to 2016. A great example of stewardship to others, he gave at both the parish and the diocesan level because he loved the Church.”
“He still decided to leave the estate gifts here, even after he moved to Oregon,” Kelley added.
“We are very grateful to him, and his generosity will impact us for generations to come at St. Eugene and Asheville Catholic School,” Father Cahill said.
Leave a legacy
Interested in setting up an endowment? Individuals can establish an endowment in the diocesan foundation by leaving a bequest in their will, a beneficiary designation from a retirement plan, a gift of real estate, a gift of life insurance, cash or securities sufficient to set up an endowment, or a life income arrangement such as a trust or annuity.
For details about setting up an endowment to benefit the Church in western North Carolina, contact Gina Rhodes at 704-370-3364 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter