Michael “Mike The Cop” Driscoll, 90, of Wheeling, WV, died peacefully on March 6, 2015 surrounded by his loving Family at home.
Mr. Driscoll was born in Rochester New York on October 11, 1924, the son of the late Michael and Edna Johnson Driscoll.
He served in the United States Navy during World War II, engaging in combat throughout the South Pacific. Following his discharge, he continued to serve his country with a stint in the U.S. Merchant Marines.
In 1950 Mike came to Wheeling to visit his closest war buddy, and married his friend’s sister, and settled in Wheeling for the rest of his life.
In 1954 Mr. Driscoll joined the Wheeling Police Department, where he served until his retirement in 1979. During this time, he was affectionately known as “Mike the Cop” by several generations of kids who grew up on Wheeling Island. Most of them still fondly remember him today, and several of them honored him in 2012 at a celebration on Wheeling Island in which a plaque, now standing in Madison Elementary School, was dedicated to him for his years of serving the people of Wheeling Island
Following his retirement from the police department, Mr. Driscoll held the position of captain of the security guards at Wheeling Downs Racetrack. He served in this capacity until 1987.
Mike held down a second “career” as a cartoonist, caricaturist and sign painter off and on throughout his life. Many of his drawings depicting national and local celebrities still adorn businesses and private residences throughout the Wheeling area. A self-taught genealogist, he would on occasion draw a family coat-of-arms to those who requested one.
Mr. Driscoll was a member of St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Wheeling, and a member of the Ancient Order of the Hibernians
In addition to his parents, Mr. Driscoll was preceded in death by three brothers, Paul, Harold, and Kenneth.
Surviving are his loving wife of 63 years, Joanne Ryan Driscoll; one son, Timothy Driscoll; four daughters: Sheila Driscoll, Brenda Berardi Edward, Kelly GantzerPatrick and Erin Driscoll all of Wheeling WV; a brother, Gerald Drucilla Driscoll of Lyons NY; a sister, Agnes Dumbleton Frank of Brockport NY; seven grandchildren: Krista Parsons, Matthew Palkovic, Edward Berardi, Kerry Wise, Kathleen Gantzer, Sean Gantzer, and Bryan Gantzer; five great-grandchildren: Trevor Parsons, Jackson Palkovic, Ava Palkovic, Sophia Palkovic, and Laila Wise; numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends received 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Sunday at the Altmeyer Funeral Home, 1400 Eoff St., Wheeling, where Vigil services will be held at 3:30 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 9, 2015 at St. Joseph Cathedral, Wheeling, with Msgr. Kevin Quirk as celebrant.
Entombment with Military Honors in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Wheeling.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Cathedral of St. Joseph, 1218 Eoff St., Wheeling, WV 26003.
Offer condolences online at altmeyer.com
Dear Brenda & Family
So sorry to hear about your dad. I have many childhood memories at your house, like jumping rope in front of your house while your dad watched laughing at us, and smoking his pipe.
Thoughts and Prayers
Cindy Coleman Louk
Dear Brenda,
You have our deepest condolences on the passing of your father. We all will keep you and your family in our prayers at this difficult time in your life.
Dearest Driscoll family, There are no words to convey the sorrow my sister Connie and I feel in Mr. Michaels passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family. We will carry Mike in our hearts and minds forever.
Love,
Connie Grinstein and
Sandra Theiss-Niven
Erin and Family,
My thoughts and Prayers are with you and your family.
So Sorry.
Love, Dana Winchester Black
Erin and family,
Your Dad was a special person and will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Blessings,
Janet and Jerry
I didn’t know you as Mike the cop. I knew you as my best friends dad who made me laugh at your stories, except the stick one, who I was in awe of because you knew so much about books and could draw as well as any famed artist. You always welcomed me to stay for dinner and enjoyed talking with us on the porch while smoking your pipe. You are loved, you are missed and remembered, rest in peace Mr. Driscoll.
I grew up on the Island and Mr. Driscoll was always watching out for all the children. He was so kind and caring and made sure we were all safe. My favorite story about Mr. Driscoll is that when I was a teenager, I used to go to the Blue Caboose, a dance place for teens. It didn’t have the best reputation. I would take the last bus home from downtown to the Island around 11 p.m. He saw me at the bus stop one Saturday night and stopped to ask what I was doing. He said I should not be going to a place like that and he was worried. He informed my dad, who had a fit. My mom still let go, but I was more afraid of Mr. Driscoll seeing me again than my dad finding out. He took care of everyone like he was their father. I loved him and he made me feel safe and cared about. Thank you Mr. Driscoll for being a part of Island childhood.
I started the first grade at Madison school in 1955. mike was there to help us cross the street. they were building the “new bridge” at the time and working on Zane street. we walked over wooden planks to cross the street, and mike always made us kids feel safe. our class was in the “red building.” I will always remember him; the kids felt like they had a friend in mike. Later he used to walk the beat on the island, and island residents felt a sense of security when he was von duty.
Joan and family I am so sorry for your loss.Prayers are with you and your families
My sincere condolences to the entire family of “Mike”. Denny Albaugh
Our hearts go out to your family on the death of a very special part of our lives growing up. Love and prayers to all of you
So sorry for your loss he was a great and well respected man. I lived on the island till I got married and went to Madison school and he was there every morning walking us across and talking to us. Always treated us with respect and kindness.
Sorry about your dad,Sheila. Prayers for you all and God bless. Janice Miller
Sorry to hear of the death of Mike. He was a good cop and a great man. My sympathy and prayers for the family.
Sunday evening, March 08, 2015
Dear Joanne and Family:
I have just received an E-Mail from my niece, Linda, telling me about Mike. It is a shock and I’m saddened to hear the news. We go back many-a-year. A kind and gentle person, with many talents and Irish humor. Most of all he loved God, and his family. He was a friend to all. Andrea joins me in sending our deepest sympathy.
Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love,
Jeannette Maruca Adams,
A friend.
Thank you Mike for keeping my family safe on Wheeling Island/Madison School.
Bob,Chuck,Jennifer,Danny
Bless your family.Judy Fugate
To the whole Driscoll Family, my sincerest sympathies to you all! Had so many great memories of your Dad! Funny, smart, a great Father! Did I say funny? Erin, we had so much fun coming to your house while your Dad helped us make Halloween decorations!
Uncle Mike was always a great guy to be around – his zest for life, his intellectual interest in all things great and small, and his particular love of Ireland and the Irish are fond memories I will carry with me forever. “Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.” May his soul be at the right hand of God.
We are so sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful man everyone loved mike. He will never be forgotten. Praying for all god bless you all. Wonderful family
We are so sorry to hear about Officer Driscoll.
Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
Pete & Erin Cuffaro
Went to Madison 1955-1965. Lived the next street over from you on wabash. Remember you very well. God bless you.