BRIDGEPORT—Reverend Monsignor Thomas J. Driscoll, P.A., passed away today, December 20, 2018. He was 81 years of age.
“Monsignor Driscoll will be fondly remembered by many for his service in several leadership posts in the diocese and for his faithful witness over many decades as a priest and pastor. Please pray for the repose of the soul of Monsignor Driscoll, and for the consolation of his family,” said Bishop Frank J. Caggiano.
Thomas Jerome Driscoll was born in Danbury, Connecticut, on February 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 Reverend Martin J. O’Connor in St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City on December 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 St. 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 August 31, 1991, and a Protonotary Apostolic supernumerary by Pope Benedict XVI on November 22, 2007.
Monsignor Driscoll’s body will be received at Saint Luke Church located at 49 North Turkey Hill Road, Westport, CT 06880, 4:00 pm on Thursday, December 27 and will lie in repose until the Vigil Mass at 7:00 pm. Monsignor Thomas W. Powers will be the celebrant, and Monsignor Laurence R. Bronkiewicz will be the homilist.
Bishop Frank J. Caggiano will celebrate the Funeral Mass at 11:00 am on Friday, December 28, and Monsignor Charles Murphy will be the homilist.
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.
