Rev. Msgr. Thomas J. Driscoll, V.G.
Deceased: 2018-12-20
Diocese: BRIDGEPORT
Seminary Graduation Year: 1962
CSM Graduation Year: 1970
The Rev. Msgr. Thomas Jerome Driscoll, a former pastor of Saint Luke Church in Westport, died Dec. 20. He was 81.
He was born in Danbury on Feb. 15, 1937, son of Dr. Jerome and Mary Margaret (Devitt) Driscoll. Following his graduation from Danbury High School, his priestly formation began at St. Thomas Seminary College in Bloomfield, and continued at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.
He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Bridgeport by the Most Rev. Martin J. O’Connor in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City on Dec. 20, 1961.
He first served as parochial vicar of St. James Parish in Stratford, and later as spiritual director of the former Cathedral Girls High School in Bridgeport, before returning to Rome for studies in moral theology at the Accademia Alfonsiana.
Upon his return to the diocese, he served as priest secretary to Bishop Walter W. Curtis and as vice chancellor and notary to the Tribunal. In 1974, then-Father Driscoll was appointed pastor of Saint Luke Parish in Westport, where he served until 1990, at which time he was appointed Chancellor by Bishop Edward M. Egan.
In 1997, he was appointed Vicar General, and served Bishop Egan and Bishop Lori in this capacity until 2012.
His last assignment was as pastor of Notre Dame of Easton Parish, where he served from 1999 until his retirement from active ministry in 2014. He also served on various boards, committees, and councils during the years of his long and varied service to Christ and the Church.
He was appointed a Prelate of Honor of His Holiness, with the title of Monsignor, by Pope St. John Paul II on Aug. 31, 1991, and a Protonotary Apostolic supernumerary by Pope Benedict XVI on Nov. 22, 2007.
Monsignor Driscoll’s body will be received on Thursday, Dec. 27 at 4 p.m. at Saint Luke Church, 84 Long Lots Road, Westport, and will lie in repose until the Vigil Mass at 7 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, Dec. 28 at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Assumption Cemetery, 73 Greens Farms Road.
Condolences may be sent to Monsignor Driscoll’s brothers, Alfred F. Driscoll, 9154 Beaver Brook Way, Charlotte, NC 28277 and Jerome Driscoll, 6 Shady Knolls, Danbury, CT 06811.
In your charity, please pray for the repose of the soul of Monsignor Driscoll, and for the consolation of his family.
