DRISCOLL, Richard Dennis, of Brookline, MA, died peacefully, Sunday June 18, 2017. Loving husband of RoseMary (Shea), beloved father of Richard, Jr., of Boston; Timothy and wife Kara of Winchester; William and wife Kristin of Hingham; Paul and wife Allison of Dover; John of Arlington, VA; Molly and husband Robert of Newton; and James of Jupiter, FL. Son of the late Daniel Driscoll and Edith Barry. Brother of Dr. Robert (deceased), J. Barry (deceased), Daniel (deceased), Jane (deceased), and William (Spain). Loving "Big Dada" to 12 grandchildren. Dick was born and raised in Milton and was a proud double Eagle: Boston College High School, Class of 1948 and Boston College, Class of 1952. After Boston College, Dick attended Harvard Business School, graduating in 1954. He then entered the Marine Corps, served as an aide-de-camp to the Commanding General, 1st Marine Brigade in the Mediterranean, and was discharged in 1957. Dick then joined the Merchants National Bank in Boston, a small $200 million commercial bank. Over the following 33 years the bank grew to be a $35 billion bank. From April 1987 to January 1990, Dick served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Bank of New England, N.A. Dick left the bank in 1990 and for the next six years was president of the Massachusetts Bankers Association. Dick was a living embodiment of the mottoes of both Boston College High School “Man for Others” and Boston College “Ever to Excel”. Board activities included American Ireland Fund; Beth Israel Hospital; Boston University Medical Center; Catholic Charitable Bureau, Archdiocese of Boston; Family Counseling and Guidance Centers, Inc.; Greater Boston YMCA (Chairman); Morgan Memorial, Goodwill Industries (President); The Rivers School; United Way of Massachusetts; Holyhood Cemetery Association; Boston Clearing House Association (President); Boston Housing Partnership (Chairman); Massachusetts Bankers Association; Massachusetts Business Development Corp.; Mastercard International; New England Bankcard Association (Chairman); Emmanuel College (Chairman); Boston College Alumni Association (President); St. John of God Hospital; Harvard Business School Association of Boston (President); Charlesbank Homes; Child Care Investment Fund; and others. Family was most important to Dick. Dick married RoseMary Shea in 1962. Their 55 year union was blessed with seven children – six sons and Molly. Dick embraced the role of patriarch of the Driscoll clan. He had a grand time in following the activities of his children at countless rinks, fields and golf courses. Dick was a member of 33 years at Charles River Country Club and cherished family rounds of golf. Dick lived a short walk from the Heights and frequented many Boston College sporting events; he was a long-time Boston College football season ticket holder.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Church of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, 28 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, Thursday June 22 at 10:00 AM. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours at Robert J. Lawler & Crosby Funeral Home (www.lawlerfuneralhome.com), 1803 Centre Street, West Roxbury, Wednesday, June 21, 4:00-8:00 pm. Rite of Committal, St. Joseph Cemetery, West Roxbury.
Please omit flowers, the family has asked that donations in Dick's memory be made to: Richard Dennis Driscoll Class of 1948 Scholarship, c/o Boston College High School (www.bchigh.edu), 150 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125, or to a charity of your choosing.