Attorney Neil R. Driscoll, 81, longtime attorney of Lynn, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family the morning of Oct. 24. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, and a tireless and well-respected attorney.
Mr. Driscoll was born in Fitchburg on Feb. 15, 1932, the youngest of 13 children born to the late Cornelius and Julia (Shea) Driscoll, both of Cahirciveen, County Kerry, Ireland. He graduated from St. Bernard’s High School in 1949 and from St. Michaels’ College in Colchester, Vt. in 1953. Mr. Driscoll served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955.
Following his military service, Mr. Driscoll pursued his lifelong dream of becoming a lawyer and earned his Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School in 1960. He was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 1961, whereupon he entered private practice and opened his first office on Western Avenue in Lynn. The firm later expanded to the law offices of Driscoll, Gillespie & Stanton in Lynnfield. In 1995, Mr. Driscoll partnered with his son-in-law, Attorney Thomas J. Freeman, and practiced law until the age of 80. Mr. Driscoll was a zealous advocate who earned a sterling reputation throughout the area for his dedication and service to his clients.
In addition to his devoted wife Barbara (Sullas), with whom he shared 56 years of marriage, he is survived by his children: Diane M. Driscoll of Lynn, Patty Freeman and her husband Attorney Thomas J. Freeman of Marblehead, Dr. Stephen M. Driscoll and his wife Dianne Louf of Marstons Mills, and Attorney Joanne Driscoll Campbell and her husband Sean Campbell of Nahant; and by his grandchildren, Attorney Michael J. Smith of Marblehead, Attorney Brian Freeman and his wife Samantha of West Peabody, and Jaclyn Freeman of Peabody. He is also survived by his siblings, Margaret Testarmata of West Boylston and John Driscoll of Arizona, and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Driscoll was predeceased by his brothers Bernard and Edward, and his eight sisters, Theresa Driscoll, Madeline Driscoll, Nora Walsh, Eileen Pernokas, Pauline Thomas, Catherine Turcotte, Mary Mullahy and Rita Driscoll.
To all who knew him, Mr. Driscoll was the embodiment of kindness, caring, generosity and humility. Throughout his life, he was a proud alumnus and generous supporter of both his alma maters, St. Michael’s College and Suffolk Law School; an active member of the Massachusetts, Essex County and Lynn bar associations, a quiet benefactor of many charities both locally and nationally, including My Brother’s Table in Lynn and the National Shrine of St. Jude; and an enthusiastic fan of Boston sports teams. He was a natural storyteller and was particularly proud of his Irish heritage.
Mr. Driscoll possessed both a charismatic personality and an ardent love of life. He loved animals, and to sing and dance. In later life, he was frequently seen accompanied by his canine friend, Jake. He was also an avid lifelong skier who shared his fondness for the sport with his children and later his grandchildren, taking them skiing and treating them to homemade pizza every weekend in the winter.
Mr. Driscoll was loved deeply and he will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him.
Service information: Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral from the NADWORNY Funeral Home, 798 Western Ave., Lynn, Monday at 9 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian burial in St. John the Evangelist Church, Swampscott at 10 a.m. Interment in Pine Grove Cemetery. Visiting hours are on Sunday from 2-6 p.m. Directions and guest book at nadwornyfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Driscoll’s name to My Brother’s Table, 98 Willow St., Lynn, MA 01901.