Daniel “Danny” Driscoll was born in Staten Island, New York on April 25th, 1960. However, Danny would argue that his birthday was almost everyday. He was born to his "Mommy Dear,” Rose Gallucci Driscoll and his "Daddy,” Edward Driscoll. Danny was given many affectionate nicknames, such as “Danny Boy,” “Dan the Man,” and “Big Dan.”
Those who knew Danny knew that he had his ups and he had his downs, as Danny was born with Down syndrome. In 1960, Down syndrome was not well understood, but this did not prevent him from living life to the fullest. Danny and his family ensured that absolutely nothing kept him from doing everything he wanted to do and being exactly who he wanted to be.
A native of the Port Richmond community, Danny attended P. S. 20. Danny loved going to school and spoke about it regularly. In his younger years, Danny worked at Driscoll’s Deli, his family-owned and operated delicatessen, on Westervelt Avenue in New Brighton. You might have seen Danny bowling for the Driscoll’s Deli Bowling Team with his siblings. Later on, Danny worked at United Cerebral Palsy. He loved to work where he "made boxes." He spoke fondly of his coworker, Mary.
Danny’s New York neighborhood supported Danny like he was their own son or brother. Whether it was trips with his grocery cart to the 24-Hour Deli on Port Richmond Avenue or riding his tricycle down the hill on Clinton Place, he always had friendly faces cheering him on. Danny was particularly fond of his high school football team, who honored their favorite player by making Danny the team captain. Danny was a parishioner of St. Roch’s and attended mass every Sunday, proudly wearing a suit and a gold crucifix his “Mommy Dear” purchased for him. Danny would participate in mass by walking down the center aisle, and, at times, escorting churchgoers to their seats. Danny frequently reminisced about “my priest” and "my team,” and wouldn’t let you forget anyone who made an everlasting impact on his heart through their kindness and hospitality toward him.
In 2005, Danny moved to Pittston, Pennsylvania with his brother, Dennis Driscoll, and sister-in-law, Elizabeth Klemchak Driscoll, who cared for Danny as one of their own. Danny was welcomed with open arms by the Quail Hill and surrounding neighborhoods. Danny’s neighbors always thought of him, taking him on Burger King lunch dates, gifting him “army man” caps and Christmas presents, visiting him on Halloween (one of his favorite times of the year), and making him footlong hotdogs with his name written largely on the takeout container. Danny often liked to surprise his neighbors with a friendly visit just to chat. No one ever turned him away. They always kept an eye out for Danny's shenanigans. He was always met with friendship and love by the community for which Danny and his family are blessed.
Danny was a movie fanatic and loved going to the movie theater. He enjoyed an ice cold Mountain Dew, but be careful with the popcorn — you’d hear him wrestling with the popcorn bag the entire movie! He enjoyed watching John Wayne, Happy Days, Ellen DeGeneres, The Wizard of Oz, Grease, and the King Kong movies. He loved Batman, the Fonz, the Hulk, and Hulk Hogan. Danny was funny — he liked to say “I fool you!” after playing pranks on his loved ones or cracking a joke. Danny will be remembered for his unique dance moves, some involving his famous sunglasses and black comb that he kept in the pocket of his sweatpants, just in case he found himself in the center of a dance circle. He won every arm wrestling match he was ever challenged with due to his two-hand technique.
Danny loved food and enjoyed eating everything he could get his hands on, sometimes storing his notorious salami slices in, what seemed like, his never-ending sweatpant pockets. Nevertheless, nothing compared to Burger King and "shrimps." If you asked Danny if he was hungry, he would always respond with "What do you have?” You knew you always had someone to split a meal with when Danny was near. Whenever you would offer him something to eat Danny would say, “Give me half!” Danny was always in the fridge. If you heard a noise in the middle of the night, you knew it was probably Danny getting something to eat in the kitchen. As Shane Gillis would say, our Uncle Danny was always “making them at night.”
Danny spent much of his time going on adventures with his nephew, Matthew, nieces, Brittany, Sarah, and Cindy, and their significant others. When at home, you would often find Danny claiming their shoes as his own if they left them about the house, chasing them around the house with a very unexpected sprint, and jestingly threatening them with a kiss if they didn’t do as he asked. "Uncle Danny" was not only their uncle, but often took the role of their eldest brother, all growing up in the same house.
Danny loved everything military and had his own imaginary army that would follow him around. He loved haircuts and was never too shy to tell you when you were due for one. He was full of life and love and was elated when something matched his shirt.
Danny will be missed by everyone who has ever had the privilege to know him. And, if you never had the pleasure of meeting him, we hope this obituary makes you feel like you knew him. He would’ve loved to know you.
He is survived by his brothers Dennis, Nicholas, and Robert, his sisters, Kathleen and Dorothy, as well as countless family members. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, his brothers, Jack and Edward, and many other loved ones.
Family and friends may pay their respects on Sunday, July 28, from 3-6pm at the Adonizio Funeral Home, LLC, 251 William Street, Pittston, PA. The funeral will be held on Monday, July 29, at St. Joseph Marello Parish at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel 237 William Street, Pittston, PA, at 9:30am. There will be a graveside service at the St. Peter’s Cemetery in Staten Island, NY on Tuesday, July 30 at 1pm.
In lieu of flowers, please consider sending in a donation for Danny’s funeral expenses at https://gofund.me/7984494c.
Read our yips: Rest in peace, our prince, our pal.
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