John Thomas Driscoll

1949 - 2024

John Thomas Driscoll, of Alexandria, VA, passed away peacefully on August 4, 2024, with his family by his side. Born on April 24, 1949, in Johnson City, NY, he was the son of John Harold Driscoll and Elizabeth May Payne. John graduated from McLean High School in McLean, VA, in 1966 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master of Urban Affairs from Virginia Tech. He married Clorinda Luisa Renzi of Watertown, NY, on March 17, 1984.

John devoted 33 years to teaching political science and economics at Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, VA. Known affectionately as "D" and "the Drisco" by his students, he was one of the first teachers to work on pilot programs in Applied Economics for Junior Achievement USA. His role as an adviser and consultant took him to Russia, Vietnam, and various locations across the United States. John served on numerous teacher panels and participated in a special White House council on the role of technology in education. He also contributed letters to The Washington Post, where he passionately advocated for national education policy.

John is survived by his wife, Clorinda Luisa Renzi; his daughter, Erin Gardiner (James) of Springfield, VA; his step-daughter, Joan Dickinson (David) of Blacksburg, VA; his step-son, Joseph Ivers III (Yvonne) of Nokesville, VA; and his grandchildren, Christian Gardiner, Gabriella Gardiner, Madeleine Dickinson, Samuel Dickinson, Emily Ivers, and Wyatt Ivers.

John's legacy lives on through his family, students, and the many lives he touched throughout his distinguished career. A celebration of John's life and legacy will be held on Saturday, September 14 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Demaine Funeral Home in Alexandria, VA.