James Driscoll

POLAND - Love of God, family, and friends defined James Francis Driscoll who died peacefully Friday evening at his home.

"Jim" was born Nov. 25, 1935, in Brookline Boston, Mass., the eldest son of James Francis and Anne Katholing Driscoll, both deceased. In his early years, the family moved to Flossmoore Chicago, Ill.

Jim attended Mt. Carmel High School and the University of Notre Dame, graduating in 1957.

Jim married Mary Katherine Meyer on Sept. 12, 1959. They gave birth to four children before moving to Youngstown, where they gave birth to two more children.

Jim is survived by his wife and children, James F. Driscoll of Chagrin Falls, Culeen Francis Carey of Lakewood, Julia Doug Elmore of Hinsdale, Ill., Patrick T. Brenda Driscoll of Denver, Denis "Duffy" Molly Driscoll of New Albany and Megan Stephen McGrath of Dublin, Ireland. He is also survived by three brothers, Michael Susan Driscoll of Memphis, Tenn., Charles Barbara Driscoll of Williamsburg, Va. and Dennis Gale Driscoll of Denver.

In his teen years, he distinguished himself as a sportsman and was an outstanding golfer: he had two hole-in-ones, a double eagle and was named Flossmoor Country Club Junior Club Champion. This competitive spirit continued throughout his life. He pursed golf, squash and tennis competitively and taught all of them to his children. He was a "regular" at the YMCA, believing that a daily dose of garlic and exercise would stave off most ailments!
And did Jim like to cook and eat! From their early days in Youngstown, he and Mary embraced the ethnic fabric of Youngstown, making recipes given to them by their Lebanese, Italian, and Jewish friends. With their friends, they established the "Galloping Gourmets" dinner club. Many would agree that his best dishes were of his own creation.

Jim loved to learn and he was all about the "experience," whether through travel, art, or the classroom. He was an avid collector and passed that love onto his children. He involved himself at Butler Institute of American Art and served on the board of Friends of American Art.

Jim was well known for his "green thumb" harvesting more vegetables than his family could consume.

Jim moved his family to Youngstown after a short time in Chicago, where he worked for five years at Commercial Sheering before beginning his career with the Equitable Life Assurance Company. He was an agent and district manager before retiring in 1995. He earned the Certified Life Underwriter CLU designation and was the first person in Mahoning Valley to attain his Chartered Financial Professional ChFC designation.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Poland Chapel.

Prayers will begin Wednesday 10:30 a.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Poland Chapel followed by a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 11 a.m. at the Holy Family Church.

In lieu of flowers, tributes may take the form of donations to the Holy Family Church, St. Edward Church, the Beatitude House or the Butler Institute of American Art.