Lawrence Neil Driscoll

Neil Driscoll, known to most as Scott, passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 17, 2021, in Hollywood, Florida. He was scheduled to depart on a Caribbean cruise the following day for his annual escape from the Michigan winter, but God had other plans for Scott, and he boarded a ship for the warmth of heaven instead.

He was born August 1, 1943, in Toledo, Ohio to the late Lawrence John and Janet (Maseman) Driscoll. He grew up with an older brother, the late L. Ronald Driscoll, and a younger sister, Diana Lownsbury, of Scottsdale, Arizona. He graduated from DeVilbiss High School in Toledo and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Toledo University in 1968.

Scott married Mary (Gould) Driscoll on November 1, 1968. Together, they raised two loving daughters, Heather Driscoll (Chris Hackbarth) and Bridget Melinn (Kyle Melinn) and created beautiful memories while living in Toledo and Perrysburg, Ohio and Holland, Michigan. They enjoyed spending time Up North, travelling, camping, and spending time with their close friends. Even after their divorce in 1997, Mary and Scott remained close friends.

For the past 18 years, Scott cherished his relationship with Roberta "Robbie" Peterson of Grand Haven. Scott loved spending weekends with Robbie watching the boats come in and out of the channel at Grand Haven State Park and soaking up the sun at the beach.

Scott was affectionately known to his grandchildren and extended family as “Sock.”His oldest granddaughter Makenzie gave him this nickname early on when he suggested that she call him Scott because he was too young to be called “Grandpa.” His plan backfired when "Sock" came out of the toddler Kenzie’s mouth, and he was forever branded as Grandpa Sock. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren's extra curricular events, including soccer games, theater performances and dance recitals and birthdays were always a priority.

Scott ("Grandpa Sock") is survived by five grandchildren (Makenzie, Tyler and Caleigh Hackbarth; and Frances and Finnegan Melinn) and many nieces and a nephew (Elizabeth Driscoll, Anne Driscoll, Lisa Lownsbury, J.B. Gould, Sara Gould, Emily Holman, Stephanie Steinman, and their families); along with numerous Maseman/Driscoll cousins and family members.

He was a gentle spirit, full of love, laughter, and uncanny wit. During his 78 years of life, he coined so many unique phrases and irreverent sayings that warrant their own book of “Sock-isms.” He created his own nicknames for family members, referring to his daughters and granddaughters as "Sally" and his grandsons and son-in-laws as "Johnson." He did this often enough that Tyler thought his last name was Johnson and Frances signed cards, "Love, Sally Johnson."

Scott cherished his visits to Crystal Lake in Beulah, where he summered every year with his mother visiting family from that area while growing up and then he continued the tradition when he had his own family. Cherry Hut pies were a favorite, as was virtually any type of candy, which he frequently stashed under the seat of his car for easy access while driving. Necco wafers, Chuckles, and Red Vines became frequent gifts from his daughters and grandchildren. Not a day would go by without seeing him in a ball cap or asking him if that was a new jacket.

His career working in and around the auto industry fed his love of cars. He was the go-to resource in the family for advice when searching for a car or needing a repair. His kids loved to tease him about his “Toyota” and recount the story of the “Bendix.”

Scott was an honorary Catholic for more than four decades until his official confirmation into the Catholic church in December 2011. He was fiercely proud of his Irish heritage and St Patrick’s Day was by far his favorite holiday. He enjoyed Celtic music, the wearing of the green, and of course, a fine Irish beer, which he enjoyed sharing with his family…young and old alike! He loved all kinds of sports and looked forward to watching golf tournaments and his Spartans and Ohio State Buck-“ears.”

While the curtains of his earthly life may have closed, Neil Lawrence Scott Sock Mr. Polo Driscoll will always be with us. We will think of him every time we listen to Irish music, Bob Dylan or CCR, every time we see someone smoking a cigar while mowing the lawn, drinking a Rolling Rock, seeing the waves crash on the shore, or when we see a Hobie Cat out on Crystal Lake, we will smile and know he is right there with us.