WAYLAND: Denis O’Driscoll, 92, passed away peacefully in the home he built and adored surrounded by his loving family on November 25, 2017.
Denis was born in Skibbereen, County Cork, Ireland on September 13, 1925 the son of the late Cornelius O’Driscoll and Catherine (O’Driscoll) O’Driscoll and immigrated to the Boston area in 1947.
Beloved husband of 57 years to Sally A. (O’Neil) O’Driscoll of Wayland. Loving father of Deirdre Aubuchon of Boston; Sean O’Driscoll and his wife Lori of Sharon; Erin O’Driscoll and her husband Mark Jones of Midland, MI and Denis O’Driscoll and his wife Sandra of Wayland. Cherished grandfather of Haley, Colin and Chloe Aubuchon of Boston; Kasie Schoch and her husband Gavin of Quincy; Kate, Karlie and Con O’Driscoll of Sharon; Liam and Maura Jones of Midland, MI and Molly, Finn, Lilly and Riley O’Driscoll of Wayland. Great-grandfather of Hunter and Jane Schoch of Quincy. Brother of Eileen O’Driscoll; Patrick O’Driscoll; Kathleen Love; Cornelius O’Driscoll; Michael O’Driscoll and the late Maureen Ridge. Also survived by his Brother-in-law Kieran Ridge as well as eight nieces and four nephews.
Denis was wounded in the Korean War while serving with the United States Army as a PFC surveyor for the infantry. Upon his return from the war, he became a U.S. citizen and began a life best described as the “American Dream”. “It’s a great country” was his recurring response to any mention of America.
Back in Boston, he studied civil engineering at Northeastern University while working full time in construction. He actively supported the immigration of family and friends from Ireland, acting as a sponsor, helping them settle and find work.
In 1960, Denis married the love of his life, Sally Ann O’Neil from Gloucester. They started a family and eventually settled in Wayland.
Denis was an extremely hard worker and was not afraid to take risks in business. His efforts paid off as he built his successful construction and real estate development company. He was a life-long learner with a love of nature and insatiable curiosity about people and cultures that engaged him until the very end.
Despite 70 years in America, his heart and soul will always be tied to the old country and especially Skibbereen.
Visitations will be held on Friday, December 1, 2017 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at the John C. Bryant Funeral Home, 56 Pemberton Road (Off Rte. 30), Wayland.
His family kindly requests that everyone go directly to Good Shepherd Parish at St. Ann’s Church, 124 Cochituate Road (Rte. 27), Wayland for his Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at 11:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, his family suggests that gifts in Denis’ memory may be sent to the Society of African Missions (SMA) Fathers, 337 Common Street, Dedham, MA 02026.