FATHER JOSEPH DRISCOLL

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FATHER JOSEPH (JAKIE) DRISCOLL SJ The Jesuits of Winnipeg and the rest of Canada both mourn the loss and celebrate the life and Faith of Father Joseph Vincent Philip Mary (Jakie) Driscoll, SJ, who died suddenly at St. Ignatius Parish Rectory on Sunday, December 14, 2003, in his 71st year of religious life. The third son of William Francis Driscoll and Elizabeth (Lilly) Frances Morrissey, he was born in Cambridge, MA, U.S.A. in 1916; Father Driscoll first encountered the Jesuits at Boston College High School where he graduated in 1933. Experiencing and responding positively to a call to be a Jesuit priest himself he entered the novitiate in Guelph, ON immediately after completing his high school studies. As a young Jesuit he followed the long and thorough academic program at Guelph and Toronto, taught at Regiopolis College in Kingston, ON and was ordained a priest in 1946. He returned to work in Regiopolis in 1947 as well as served as the chaplain of the Royal Military College in Kingston. From 1954-58 he was a Director of the Jean Mance School of Nursing at the Hotel Dieu Hospital in Kingston which was followed by a brief period of Jesuit administration duties in Toronto. With the exception of summers spent in graduate studies at Catholic University in Washington, DC, and three years in charge of a retreat house near Montreal (1963-66), from 1959 on until his death Father Driscoll devoted his time, talent and spirit to the people of Manitoba. He served in a variety of capacities including university chaplain, fundraiser for St. Pauls High School and St. Pauls College, and a member of the Board of Directors of the St. Boniface Hospital School of Nursing. He was appointed pastor of St. John Brebeuf Parish in Winnipeg in 1972, serving in that capacity until 1980, was Rector of both St. Pauls High School (1966-72) and of St. Pauls College (1981-84). He played an active role in organizing the 1984 papal visit to Manitoba and assisted the wider community as a member of the BNai Brith, Mayor Norrie Award Committee in 1985 and as the Honorary Vice-President of the Canadian Bible Society in 1986. Towards the end of his life he worked in the marriage tribunal of the Archdiocese of Winnipeg and as the Archivist of the Archdiocese. As well, he was actively involved in both the College and the High School, including assignments as alumni chaplain to both, and archivist to the High School. In addition to the Jesuits of Winnipeg and the rest of Canada, Jakie will be missed by many others including Dr. Donald and Rosemary (niece) Chew of Niagara Falls, ON and Charles Cresino (cousin) of Ashburn, VA. Friends who will mourn the loss of Fr. Driscoll come from every generation and sector of life in Winnipeg and beyond. Active until the very end of his life, he brought to all those who knew him a personal integrity and commitment to the Catholic Church and to other faith communities that will be missed. Former students, parishioners and friends may pay their respects at Murray Hall in St. Pauls High School, 2200 Grant Ave., between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 17, with a prayer service beginning at 3:30 p.m. Prayers will also be celebrated at Christ the King Chapel of St. Pauls College, 70 Dysart Rd., at 7:30 p.m., with the funeral on Thursday, December 18 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Ignatius Parish, 255 Stafford St. Burial will follow at St. Marys Cemetery. Donations will be gratefully accepted for the Fr. Driscoll Legacy Endowment Fund of St. Pauls College or for Fr. Driscoll Founders Fund at St. Pauls High School. LECLAIRE BROTHERS in care of arrangements. 775-2220.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 17, 2003