Students and faculty of Iona are mourning the loss of Br. John G. Driscoll, who passed away at age 77 on Sept. 22 at St. Joseph’s Care Center with family members as well as fellow brothers at his side.

A long time New Rochelle resident, Driscoll was a graduate of Iona, which led him to serve as a professor in mathematics, eventually becoming a member of Iona’s Board of Legal Trustees.  He then went on to become Iona College’s sixth president for nearly 25 years, from 1971 to 1995.

Born in New York City in 1933, Driscoll’s parents were first generation Irish. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics, graduating Summa Cum Laude from Iona. As he went on to study at different universities, Driscoll earned high honors in Chemistry, a higher education administration, and a certification in counseling psychology.

He also was awarded a PhD in theoretical mathematics from Columbia University.  Over the course of his career, The National University of Ireland, Galway, Pace University, St. Thomas Aquinas College, and the College of New Rochelle all presented Br. Driscoll with Honorary Doctorate degrees.

Pursuing his career in education, Brother Driscoll taught at many different educational levels including elementary schools on Manhattan’s West Side, secondary schools in Harlem, schools in Midtown and the West Indies, as well as undergraduate and graduate universities in New York, Massachusetts, Michigan and Wisconsin. His lectures focused widely on education, psychology and religious life in the United States, the Caribbean and Western Europe. 

In 1989, Br. Driscoll was appointed director of the Bat Kol Institute in Jerusalem, Israel. He also became a member of the Board of Governors of the Marino Institute of Education in Dublin, Ireland as well as serving on many boards of governors of banks, corporations, hospitals and universities in the U.S.  Driscoll was a life-long member of this Congregation of Christian Brothers, and the international association of teachers.

By 1994, Br. Driscoll was inducted into Iona’s Hall of Fame for his significant contribution in enhancing Iona’s athletic department. He was a driving force in the building of the Mulcahy Center and Mazzella Field. 

With Br. Driscoll’s help, women’s athletics were expanded which eventually led to athletic scholarships in almost all sports at Iona.  These scholarships powered Iona’s continued success with their competitive teams. During the Hall of Fame awards ceremony Br. Driscoll was honored “as Iona’s most loved and recognized alumnus, his vision and stewardship of Iona athletics places him among our all-time greats.”

Iona College President Brother James A. Ligouri released a statement stating, “The Iona College community is deeply saddened by the passing of Br. Driscoll, who left a rich legacy as an inspired educator, visionary administrator, biblical scholar and as a remarkable human being.  I was honored to succeed Br. Driscoll as President and build on his nearly quarter of a century of leadership in establishing Iona as one of the country’s leading private Catholic colleges.”

Executive Assisstant to the President Sr. Patricia McGinley also weighed in, calling Brother Driscoll “a loyal and dedicated Christian Brother, a brilliant scholar and learner, a caring and loving person, and a prince of a gentleman.  I am sure he received a huge welcome into the communion of saints in heaven.”

Br. Driscoll is survived by his two brothers Michael and Kevin, and  his wife Peggy, his sister Geraldine, and her husband Andrew. A visitation was held on Sunday in Spellman Hall. A funeral Mass was held on Monday at Holy Family Church in New Rochelle. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: The Br. John G. Driscoll Fund Iona College 715 North Avenue New Rochelle, NY 10801 or St. Joseph’s Care Center, 30 Montgomery Circle New Rochelle, NY 10805.