Francis P. Driscoll
July 15, 1947 – June 01, 2018
Francis Patrick Driscoll – a lifelong resident of Reading, Massachusetts, passed away unexpectedly Friday, June 1. He was the devoted husband of the late Linda (Steele) Driscoll of Reading and cherished father of Stacie Anne (Driscoll) Hall, her husband Michael C. of Exeter, NH and Caitlin Elizabeth (Driscoll) Salmon, her husband Matthew M. of Reading, MA. He was the doting, generous-to-a-fault grandfather – affectionately known as “BooBoo” to – Jake Mitchell Hall (15) and Kyrie Cheyenne Hall (14) of Exeter, NH and Keeley Grace-Elizabeth Salmon (8) and Jameson Patrick (Simmy) Salmon (5) of Reading, MA.
Frank grew up in his beloved hometown of Reading after living in Stoneham for his first 9 years; however, always considered Reading “his” town. The cherished son of the late Gerald Michael (Jake)Driscoll and the late Jean Catherine (Sullivan) Driscoll. He was the dedicated brother of the late MaryGrace (Driscoll) Doucette and her husband Paul, originally of Wakefield, MA; Jack Driscoll and his wife Nancy of North Andover; and Cathy (Driscoll) and her husband Bob Bilodeau of Hampton, NH. Frank enjoyed visiting and spending time chatting with his nephew Kevin Doucette and wife Avril Hevey-Doucette of Newton, NH and spoiling his great niece and nephew, Chloe and Shay Doucette.
He loved to debate with his nephew Josh Bilodeau of Exeter, NH and enjoyed the culinary delights of niece, Karin Doucette of North Reading.
The Steele Family became his extended family. The late Ida E. (Betty) and the late Donald P. (Simmy) Steele welcomed him to Gloucester, where he enjoyed the many beaches and restaurants. Additional family include Bonnie (Steele) and her former husband Toby Bedell; Lisa (Steele) and Phil Puma; Don
Steele; Scott and the former Pam Steele all of Gloucester; and nephews whose company he enjoyed, Andy and Matt Steele. Frank also leaves best friends and brothers, Dean Gibbons of Methuen, MA and Ken Fisak of Ohio, as well as countless people who loved to bicker with him.
After graduation from Reading High in 1966, where he lettered in three sports, Frank enlisted in the Marines and served two tours of duty in Vietnam. Upon returning to an exuberant family and neighborhood after receiving the Purple Heart Medal of Honor, he met his beloved wife, Linda working at The Cabot Corporation and married her in 1971. Frank began his career as a FireFighter/EMT/Union President with the Reading Fire Department where he worked for 39 years.
Always a Marine, upon retirement from the Fire Department, Frank worked as the Reading VeteransAgent where he took great pride in working for and helping his fellow Veterans. For about the last 25 years, Frank – with great assistance from his daughter, Caitlin, was the Custodian of Soldiers and
Sailors Graves for the Town of Reading. It brought him peace and joy to prepare the Cemeteries each Memorial Day for their ceremonies. Frank volunteered and dedicated copious amounts of time in several capacities to the Town Of Reading. Softball took over the Driscolls’ lives, as he was in charge of Reading Youth Softball for countless years, and was a Coach at the High School. His true softball passion, though, was coaching his Tournament Teams. The girls who played for him loved
(and hated) his Drill Instructor ways, yet that they continued to visit with him is a true testament to the impact he had on so many lives. Sports continued to be paramount in Frank’s life.
Never missing Jake or Kyrie’s football games, or Keeley’s lacrosse games, or even Jameson’s T-Ball games (where
he’d rather watch the grass grow) – he was a permanent fixture on various bleachers and sidelines.
An avid Keno player, former skier (IWD weekends with the Boys), and lover of Irish Whiskey and Miller Lite, Frank will be missed by all who knew him – especially Kitty’s Restaurant.
Frank would want you all to remember him as someone who tried to do right by people (he was the guy you called in an emergency). He instilled the values of hard work, commitment, speaking the truth, and respect into all the lives he touched. He would want you to do as he says and not as he does, to drive by the beach and enjoy its beauty, and to say a prayer at the top of a ski mountain. He loved and was loved more fiercely than most people liked to admit. He showed his love in all the
non-traditional ways, so make sure to appreciate those loved ones in your life. Please clink your glasses in memory of Frank – just make sure there’s no fruit in your glass. Semper Fi
Frank’s funeral will be held from the Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn St.) Reading on Wednesday, June 6 at 9:30 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Athanasius Church 300 Haverhill St. Reading at 10:30 AM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Burial with military honors at Forest Glen Cemetery, Reading. Funeral home visiting hours will be Tuesday evening from 4:00-8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Frank’s memory to the Reading Veterans Memorial Trust Fund c/o Reading Veterans Service Officer 16 Lowell St. Reading, MA 01867.
SERVICES Funeral Mass Wednesday, June 06, 2018 10:30 AM
St. Athanasius Church
300 Haverhill St.
Reading, MA 01867
Visiting hours Tuesday 4:00-8: 00 PM
Douglass, Edgerley, & Bessom Funeral Home
25 Sanborn Street Reading, MA 01867
