Michael J. Driscoll

         Michael J. Driscoll, Retired Watertown City Manager, Age 70 of Watertown & East Dennis, passed away surrounded by his loving family on Saturday February 11, 2023. Beloved husband of Jane (Ohnemus) Driscoll. Devoted father of Amy Driscoll & her partner John Indeck, Allison Privitera & her husband David, Aileen Driscoll, Sarah Giorgio & her husband Nicholas. Cherished Papa to Charlie Driscoll, Lola Giorgio and the newest arrival Brooks Giorgio. Dear brother/brother-in-law of Brian and Mary Driscoll, Paula and Harry Wheeler, Mark and Linda Driscoll, Peter Driscoll, Leanne and Mike Norris. Remembered fondly by his many nieces, nephews and Mullins cousins. 

          Born in Brighton on January 16, 1953 to the late Teresa (Mullins) Driscoll, Michael spent his youth in Woburn on Hiawatha Road with his five younger siblings and Rusty, the family dog. His siblings remember him as the rule setter and #1 son.

          Michael valued his loved ones above all else, wholeheartedly embracing Nana Teresa’s guiding principle: family, family, family.  He enjoyed and kept family entertained during countless beach vacations in Rye, NH and on Cape Cod, as well as ski trips to Loon Mountain in Lincoln, NH. 

           In 2006, he rekindled a friendship with his former coworker, Jane, and the two enjoyed the next 16 years together along with their dog, Libby. They married in 2012 and made new memories together in New Hampshire, Nantucket and East Dennis, where they purchased their dream Cape home, affectionately known as Club SBC. To many friends, they were known as the “fun couple.”

            A graduate of Woburn High then UMass Amherst, Michael went to work for the Town of Watertown in August of 1977. What followed were 45 years of service to the Town (now City) of Watertown, with 29 years as the Town Manager/City Manager. He dedicated so much of his time and energy to the betterment of the community, leading to illustrious accomplishments including but not limited to: starting curbside recycling, building the Senior Center, a new Police Station, the renovation and expansion of the Watertown Free Public Library, and building the new Public Works Building; renovating three fire stations, city hall, the Ryan Skating Arena, and multiple parks and playgrounds; the city achieving the AAA bond rating from Standard & Poor’s in 2013, and fully funding the Town’s retirement program.

           To many in the Town, Mike was known as a tough but fair leader whose top priority was to provide the highest level of services to the citizens of Watertown while utilizing the taxpayers’ dollars as efficiently as possible.

          The family would like to thank Michael’s team at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for their loving care: Dr. Harshabad Singh, Meghan Dolan, Dr. Joseph Mancias and Dr. Tom Clancy, as well as all the staff who provided care and support this last year. 

         Family and friends are welcome to come celebrate Mike’s life by gathering for visiting hours on Thursday February 16, 2023 in St. Patrick’s Church, 212 Main St. Watertown, MA from 4-7 PM and again on Friday at 10 AM for a Funeral Mass. Burial to follow in Ridgelawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

The Michael J. Driscoll Scholarship Fund
Watertown City Hall
149 Main St., Watertown, MA 02472

OR

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to support the Hale Family Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research at Dana-Farber, either online at http://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/goto/halecenter or by check, made out to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and sent to:

Division of Development & The Jimmy Fund
Attn: Hillary D. Repucci
10 Brookline Place West, 6th Fl
Brookline, MA 02445
Memo: Hale Family Center for Pancreatic Cancer Research

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michael J. Driscoll, please visit our floral store.