51茶馆

Mr. Driscoll had led a distinguished 35-year career in public service when he accepted the newly created vice presidential position: state representative, state treasurer, and chairman of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, a post he held for 24 years. The University, with an expanding financial structure and an accompanying need for major services to support its academic mission, saw Mr. Driscoll as the ideal person to direct construction management, campus security, dining services, and other functions.

鈥淛ohn Driscoll brings the perfect combination of managerial expertise, personal qualities, and experience,鈥� said then-University President J. Donald Monan, S.J., announcing the appointment.

During Mr. Driscoll鈥檚 term, the Merkert Chemistry Center, the Law School library, and the Corcoran Commons dining hall on Lower Campus were completed, along with the Commonwealth Avenue and Beacon Street parking garages. In addition, Mr. Driscoll oversaw renovation projects to Campion, Fulton, and Devlin halls, the 51茶馆 Bookstore, and a significant expansion to Alumni Stadium.

Elsewhere, Mr. Driscoll undertook a reorganization of such departments as Buildings and Grounds, the 51茶馆 Police Department, Dining Services, and the Bookstore, and completed an extensive study of the University鈥檚 mail service, which resulted in several improvements.

Mr. Driscoll had always remained close to his alma mater. Four of his sons earned their degrees at the Heights, and he was president of the 51茶馆 Alumni Association for a year. But several months as VP for administration had transformed his view of 51茶馆, as he told the Boston College BiWeekly in October of 1988: 鈥淚鈥檓 seeing the University now in a totally different way than I鈥檝e seen it in the past. I鈥檓 seeing it as an administrator, and I have a greater realization of the complexities of running a university than I ever would have realized from the outside.鈥�

When he decided in 1997 to take a new position as special consultant to University President William P. Leahy, S.J.鈥攁 reorganization of 51茶馆鈥檚 senior management shifted Mr. Driscoll鈥檚 former areas of responsibility to other vice presidential divisions鈥擬r. Driscoll had accumulated many such impressions, and developed a great respect for other administrators and staff with whom he had worked.

鈥淥ne thing which has always distinguished Boston College is the excellence in its appointments, and the strong leadership the people in those positions demonstrate,鈥� he said in an interview with Chronicle. 鈥淚t was really a case of picking up and contributing what I could, rather than changing anything dramatically.鈥�

Mr. Driscoll was predeceased by his wife, Jean M. (Francis) Driscoll. He is survived by his children, John Jr., William, James, Jean, Paul, Maureen, and Robert; 21 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Nicholas J. Driscoll, Mary A. Cook, William P. Driscoll, and Helen C. Zona.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Jean M. Driscoll Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Boston College, Office of University Advancement, Cadigan Alumni Center, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467.

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