MARK J. DRISCOLL

1945 - 2022

DRISCOLL, Mark J. Died on October 3, 2022. He is survived by his wife, Susette Smith; his sister Mary (Robert) Hall; his nieces Diane (Chuck) Nugent, Karen Hall, and Sheila (Steve) Cope; a great-niece Kathryn Nugent; and two great-nephews Matthew Nugent and Brian Cope. Mark was born March 4, 1945 in Norwood, Massachusetts to parents Kathryn and Joseph. He graduated from Boston College High School and Boston College and completed his doctorate in mathematics (differential geometry) at Washington University in Saint Louis, Missouri. He began his career teaching math at Logos School, an inner-city alternative high school in Saint Louis, and went on over a long and successful professional life to become a nationally recognized leader in mathematics education. He authored/co-authored five books and many instructional resources and professional development materials. He traveled the country conducting workshops for teachers and consulting with many school districts on math education improvement projects. He also taught communication skills as a member of the Touchstone organization. Mark was a Managing Project Director of Leadership for Learning Innovation at Educational Development Center (EDC) in Waltham, Massachusetts, and an Editor of a journal of the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics. He received a National Leadership Award from the NCSM which recognized Mark's contributions to mathematics education over four decades as well as his work at EDC. All who knew Markâ€"his wife, family, friends, colleagues, and the countless educators and students he touchedâ€"admired his impressive intelligence, his wit, his amazing memory, his comprehensive knowledge over a vast range of subjects, and the wisdom and insight which just kept increasing in him throughout his life. And all who knew him best and longest were continuously struck by what a beautiful human being he was, how delightful to be around, how humble, how dedicated to making a positive difference in the world. He was empathetic and prone to see the good in others. He may not have considered himself particularly athletic, yet he frequented the gym and was, at various stages of his life, a dedicated handball player, runner, and cyclist. He appreciated art, music, literature, theater, and the beauty of nature. He was attuned to the humor in just about any situation while earnestly serious about what was important. He knew the miracle of love, spending the last and happiest third of his life with his beloved wife, Sue. He was a man of peace, who may rest in peace, having given fully of himself. Mark will be deeply missed and never forgotten by us all. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mark's memory to TODOS: Mathematics for All, of which Mark was a member and supporter; that link is www.todos-math.org/donate-to-todos. A Private Service honoring Mark will be held in due course.