Henry Lawrence Mulrain

Henry Lawrence Mulrain, 91, of Newton Grove, passed away peacefully at his home after an extended illness on Monday, August 11, 2025 in the company of his daughter and son.

He was born on March 12,1934 in Jerome, Union Island to the late Donald Conrad Percival Mulrain and Omega Naomi (Correa) Mulrain.

He is preceded in death by his siblings Donald Mulrain, Mable (Mulrain) Dow, Agatha (Mulrain) Singh, Emma (Mulrain) Adams, Timothy Mulrain and Joyce (Mulrain) Saccavino.

He is survived by his brother Walter Mulrain of Australia; his daughter Patricia M. (Mulrain) Girgus and son-in-law Joseph A. Girgus Jr of North Carolina; his son Richard C. Mulrain of Virginia; his grandson Benjamin J. Girgus and granddaughter-in-law Teresa Adriana Cueto Barrientos of New York; his granddaughter Marissa L. (Girgus) Becher and grandson-in-law Daniel E. Becher of North Carolina; his grandson Matthew J. Girgus, his granddaughter-in-law Nikolette L. (Salvitti) Girgus and his great-grandchild "sweet baby Girgus" arriving February 2026 of Tennessee.

At age 23, Henry immigrated from St.Vincent and the Grenadines to England and then two years later, at age 25, to the United States, settling in New York. He studied hard and became a naturalized citizen of the United States at age 31.

Henry was a self-made, hard-working man with a tough exterior, coming from very humble beginnings on a farm in the Caribbean. He worked as a waiter and maître d in fine restaurants for his entire life before his hard work paid off and allowed him to retire early. Henry never believed in doctors and did not go to one until age 67, when a congenital heart defect was discovered, leading to open-heart surgery at age 70. He spent the next 21 years post-surgery doing what he loved every single day, remaining independent until recent months.

He loved playing with his grandchildren when they were younger, exercising, taking long walks every day, and most of all working in his garden. He loved the feel of the earth in his hands and the sun on his skin. He knew every single neighbor wherever he lived because he could talk to anyone about anything. Three years ago, he moved from Long Island, New York to Newton Grove, North Carolina with his daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter, and grandson-in-law where he spent his days sunup to sundown outside in beautiful, peaceful farm country.
Several weeks before his passing, Henry found out that he was going to be a great-grandfather and that brought him immense joy!

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to all of the workers of Heartland Hospice who helped them to honor his wishes and to care for him with love, kindness, grace, and dignity in his home, surrounded by those he loved.

A graveside memorial service is planned for Wednesday, September 24th at 11:00am at Roselawn Cemetery in Benson, NC.

Dunn Funeral Home of Newton Grove is honored to serve the family of Henry Lawrence Mulrain.