1886 – 1963 (September 3)
Daniel Webster Driscoll, son of John Driscoll and Ellen Crowley, was born on November 18, 1886 in Lawrence, Massachusetts and attended local schools there. His father was a building contractor whose works included the construction of Holy Rosary School and St. Mary’s convent in Lawrence. Daniel entered Saint Rita’s Hall at Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1906, and began his novitiate there in 1908. He professed simple vows on July 7, 1909, and solemn vows on July 8, 1912. He finished his studies at Villanova in 1912 with an A.B. degree, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 22, 1915 in Philadelphia Cathedral. He earned his M.A., also at Villanova, on June 17, 1915.
From 1915 to 1929 Father Driscoll was stationed at Villanova, where he served for a time as procurator, and for a period was a member of the Board of Trustees. He was chosen first definitor by the 1922 Chapter and third definitor by the 1926 Chapter. From 1929 until 1937 he was assigned to Saint Matthew’s in Flint, Michigan, and was named prior there in 1932. In 1937 he became prior and pastor of Saint Augustine’s in Lawrence, Mass. He remained there until 1941 when he assumed the leadership of Saint Mary’s Parish in Lawrence. In 1947 Father Driscoll became the prior and pastor of Saint Augustine’s in Troy, New York. That same year he had the distinction of being a member of the First Board of incorporators of Merrimack College in North Andover, Mass., framing the charter on April 16, 1947. Father Driscoll remained in Troy from 1947 until 1953, when he was transferred as prior and pastor of Saint Paul’s in Mechanicville, N.Y.
In 1959 he was elected second definitor and pastor of Assumption Parish in Lawrence, Mass. In 1962, he was appointed prior there as well. He remained in this post until his death, at Holy Ghost (Bon Secours) Hospital on September 3, 1963, following a six month illness. His Requiem Mass was celebrated at Saint Mary’s Church with Prior Provincial James Donnellon as celebrant and Father Charles Hart, O.S.A., as homilist. Father Driscoll was buried in Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Lawrence, Mass.
