Richard W. "Dick" Driscoll

Richard W. Driscoll "Dick" died peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday September 9th, 2025, at his home in Chatham, NJ. Dick was born on July 31, 1931, in Perth Amboy, NJ and was son to the late Mary Miles and Edward Driscoll and is predeceased by brothers Paul and Buddy and sisters Margaret and Olivia.
Dick moved to Bloomfield NJ with his family at 6 months old where he lived and called his home until he was a young adult. Dick enjoyed what he always described as a wonderful childhood in the depression era that was rich in life experiences regardless of hard financial times. Dick always credited those hardships for the reason he had a desire to provide a better life to his family than what his parents had. He remained close friends with his Bloomfield classmates his entire life and it shaped the person he was.
Dick attended the Bloomfield schools and played basketball during his high school years. His senior year, 1949, he was an all-state player and starter of the 1st Bloomfield basketball team to win the Essex County tournament against Seaton Hall Prep winning 48-43 at the Seaton Hall University gym. Dick, known as "Dead Eye Dick" was inducted into the Bloomfield Hall Fame for his basketball prowess individually several years after his 1949 team had been inducted as a group.
After high school Dick attended and played four years of college basketball at Upsala College where he graduated with a degree in Business. He worked at Heckels Market during his time in college to help his mother make ends meet after losing his father at a young age.
Dick then went on to work in the insurance business for American Ins Co, Ward and Co. then started ADA insurance with partner Doug Armuth for 10 years before starting the Driscoll Agency on his own located at 283 Main St. in Chatham where he operated for 10 years. He later sold his agency to Frank B Hall Insurance agency and left the industry a short time after.
Retirement did not last long when he began Driscoll Properties and started buying real estate in Chatham and Millburn.
Dick met Joanne (Liberty) Driscoll, the love of his life, during his early days in the insurance business where they both worked. They married in 1961 and lived in Madison NJ and then built a home Chatham Twp. In 1966 where they raised four children and had his business.
Dick was a two-time founder of Corpus Christi Church, a life member at Canoe Brook Country Club where he and Joanne enjoyed years of Golf, Tennis, Paddle and many friends throughout the years. Dick and Joanne spent summers in Sea Girt NJ with their family and friends and always had summer parties where all were welcome, and later spent winters in Atlantis, Florida where they owned a home.
Dick loved watching his grandchildren play sports, dance, perform and took great pride in their development as young men and women. He enjoyed playing golf with his regular foursomes in NJ and Florida and going to the racetrack with his buddies. At 94 he had outlived most of his friends and deeply missed the fun times he would have when they were all still around.
Dick is survived by his wife of 64 years Joanne Driscoll, his sons Richard W. Driscoll Jr, Thomas M. Driscoll Sr. and his wife Lisa, and Patrick J. Driscoll and wife Amy, and his daughter Susan A. Driscoll. He is also survived by his grandchildren Richard W. Driscoll III, Margaret A. Driscoll, Thomas M. Driscoll Jr., Matthew J. Driscoll, Kelly K. Driscoll, Kerri C. Driscoll, Maddy K. Driscoll, Sofie R. Kilgannon, and Wilson L Kilgannon. He is also survived by his beloved nephew Jimmy Schroeder his wife Sally and their children Justin and Jill.
A repast will be held immediately following Dick's viewing and details will be provided for those in attendance at the funeral home.