MEDWAY: David Ignatius Driscoll, Jr.

David Ignatius Driscoll, Jr., a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend-and former principal of Medway Junior-Senior High School for over 30 years-passed away on February 9, 2026. He was 85.

For additional details: https://www.davididriscoll.com

Dave will be remembered for his wry wit, passion for public education, and devotion to his family, especially his children and grandchildren.

Dave was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on May 14, 1940, and spent his early years in Brighton, Massachusetts, with his parents and two older sisters. He graduated from Boston Latin Academy and then Boston College, and he obtained a master's degree in education from Boston State. He cherished his lifelong friends from his Brighton days, many of whom were also his classmates at Boston Latin and Boston College.

After beginning his career as a high school history teacher, he soon pursued a path in administration. At age 27, he became the youngest principal in New England, overseeing Hardwick Academy in Hardwick, Vermont. In 1971, he returned to Massachusetts and began his long tenure at Medway High, where he served until his retirement in 2002. In 2010, the new high school library was named in his honor.

Dave was a passionate educator. He believed that every student deserved a chance to succeed in life, in whatever role they chose. All five of his children attended and graduated from Medway High. He loved staying in touch with former students and was proud of their achievements-even those he affectionately referred to as "dingbats." He remained close friends with many of his former Medway High colleagues, many of whom worked alongside him for decades.

He fully retired at age 70 to South Venice, Florida, where he was living at the time of his death. He cherished the new life he built in Florida, including a wide circle of close friends with whom he shared many adventures. His hobbies included going to the beach, reading, engaging in political discourse on social media, and-especially in retirement-biking. His prized possession was his carbon-fiber recumbent trike.

Dave shared five children with his former wife, Claire M. (Lafferty) Driscoll of Yarmouth, MA, who survives him: his daughter Claire T. Driscoll (San Francisco, CA); his daughter Nancy J. (Driscoll) Stroup and her husband, John (Palmer, Alaska); his daughter Sheila K. Driscoll (Washington, DC); his son David J. Driscoll and his wife, Elizabeth (Gallegos) Driscoll (Franklin, MA); and his son Michael E. Driscoll and his wife, Jocelyn Chapman (San Francisco, CA). He is also survived by his eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild: Krishan Ranjan and his wife, Rachael Ranjan, and their daughter, Amari; Joseph, Jack, and Henry Stroup; Eirin and Liam Driscoll; and Quin and Malachy Driscoll. He was preceded in death by his parents, David I. Driscoll, Sr., and Theresa (Hogan) Driscoll; his sisters, Mary Hermann and Louise Covel; and his son-in-law, Stephen Del Giudice.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Joseph Church, 151 Village Street, Medway, MA, at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2026, followed by a Celebration of Life buffet luncheon at Primavera, 20 Pleasant Street, Millis, MA, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Blood Cancer United (formerly the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society).

posted by Legacy.com