DRISCOLL, Daniel Lawrence Peacefully at the Dartmouth General Hospital, NS on August 9, 2019, of Daniel Lawrence Driscoll of Dartmouth, and formerly of Bethel, PEI, age 89 years. Predeceased by his beloved wife Germana Driscoll. Dan is survived by his sisters-in-law Eileen and Iris Driscoll, numerous nieces and nephews and his extended Dartmouth friends. He was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Elizabeth Driscoll, step mother - Mary Driscoll, brothers - Vernon, Leo and Peter and sister - Mary Fitzgerald. A memorial mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick's Church, Fort Augustus on September 14, 2019 and interment will follow at Mt. Ryan Cemetery. www.hillsborofh.ca.
Dan was a former member of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. With the Oblates he taught in several high schools in Canada. After leaving the Oblates, Dan worked at Canada’s National Film Board. In Toronto, he met his future wife Germana and they moved to her native country, India. Upon her death he returned to Canada. He was long time member of CORPUS USA AND CORPUS CANADA and a faithful contributor to Jim Noonan’s e-letter.
Remembrances from former Oblates:
Dan was talented and always leaned towards the arts. He said to me one time that "as a young man I learned more about God and religion from singer Hank Snow than I did from the Church". In the seminary we performed on stage and at the back of Waupoos Island. Our main aim was to make people laugh and they did. It was Dan who advised me to go to Syracuse University to study communications as he had. I took that advice and was thankful for it.
After leaving the Oblates Dan worked with NFB in Toronto, Montreal and in his home province of PEI. It was in Toronto that he met Germana and they married and lived in India for many years until she died, and Dan came back to Canada. Over these years we kept in touch by phone and emails, and earlier in his married life they both visited Pat and me in St. John's and stayed with us.
We had many conversations reminiscing about the past and about the Oblates where we had many good friends.
He was a gentle person with a passion for theology. As Roy Boucher said, "Dan is now engaged in discussions with Teilhard de Chardin and John Dowrley." May Dan rest in Peace with the Lord. I shall miss his calls and emails.
As Bob Hope would say; “ Thanks for the memories".
Regards, Charlie and Pat Callanan
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
So perhaps I will say a few words about Dan. In 1962 my family moved to Edmonton and deliberately sought a house in an Oblate parish. Fr James Carroll was pastor and his assistants were Joe Cashen and Clarence Lavigne. A short distance away from the newly built church was St FX high school whose Principal was Joe MacNeil, and two of the teachers were Wilf Borden and Dan Driscoll. John Greene came later, I think.
So, the OMI influence was rather pervasive. I was a mitre bearer at the ordination of Don Kroetch, because Clarence was the Master of Ceremonies. Then Clarence was sent to Peru and later Joe Cashen followed. At the high school Dan was an English teacher and very well liked. Perhaps it was his sense of humor, but there was a joyous fraternity among the high school Oblates that was attractive.
During my final year I contacted Brendan Megannety and began my application for novitiate, not knowing that a classmate was also applying - Don Fenrich. I had correspondence with Clarence and Peru was clearly my destination, but my choice of the Oblates was very much the spirit of all those fine men, but especially Dan Driscoll. He got me involved in the debating club and the Sodality. He came to the novitiate, probably for some other serious matter, and told me that he was on the way out but that should not influence my journey. Dan was at some stage of going to or finishing a program in Syracuse.
I did not see Dan again for almost 50 years until he came out to the west coast and met with the CORPUS group. I also saw him at St. Augustine ‘s in Vancouver, he was staying at the Pandosy house for some reason!
We had an email relationship, Dan wanted to establish a sort of mentor role to challenge some of the items which I send out by email. He would usually respond with some references to Teilhard which were always interesting and usually beyond me.
The last few months I did not hear from Dan, other than his responses to the eletter from Jim Noonan. I am grateful that this generous man came into my life, leading me into the Oblates and at least preceding me on the way out.
Phil Little
Victoria Island, BC
You are now even more so, become a part of that Cosmos you have talked about, prayed over, and with your fascinated and questing intellect studied. Dan you beguiled, had a bit of the Irish Blarney, flattered the entertainer and seduced our minds and hearts.You will always be fondly remembered as teacher, friend and colleague. Your thirst for understanding and acceptance of the mystery continues to inspire. In your mind, the cosmos; in the cosmos, your being. You were able to see the whole universe in the simplest of conversations and the complicated through the real experience of life. You had a jovial spirit and a wit with a voice of peace and understanding. I can still hear your voice. Well done good and faithful traveller. Until we meet again. I will continue the path and miss your companionship. God has gained a man of integrity and faith. There are now discussions going on as to how the universe is unfolding and at the forefront is Dan Driscoll coordinating and cajoling both Teilhard de Chardin and John Dourley. Of course they are all intent and intense with their story telling and philosophical sharing. A few jokes and a song or two may shine forth. God is sitting on the sidelines and smiling, thinking you are in the right track. I am glad that at least you three have achieved in part the mystery.
Nos, cum universo orbe, in veritate quaerere.
Charles DesRoches