Cornelius P. Driscoll

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Native Staten Islander Cornelius (Neil) Driscoll, 76, of Manalapan, N.J., a retired hospital cook and cafeteria manager, National Guard veteran and family man, died Saturday in CentraState Medical Center, Freehold, N.J.

He grew up in West Brighton and New Brighton and graduated from McKee High School. After graduation, he served in the Army National Guard.

In 1960, Mr. Driscoll entered the Franciscan Missionary Brothers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Eureka, Mo., taking the name Brother Bernard, and was a member of the order until 1967.

He returned to Staten Island and began working as a cook at the Willowbrook State School. He then was a hospital cook and cafeteria manager for St. Vincent's North Richmond Services, until retiring at age 65.

He relocated to Manalapan in 1987, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus there.

Mr. Driscoll cherished his family and the time he spent with them.

He also enjoyed making arts and crafts projects, gardening and shopping at the Christmas Tree Store. He was an excellent baker, known for his Irish soda bread and the cakes he made for school fairs and bazaars.

"My father was one of the greatest men to walk on this planet," said his daughter, Beth Servidio. "He was caring, kind and had a wonderful sense of gentle humor. Everyone who knew him loved him."

Mr. Driscoll was a parishioner of St. Joseph's R.C. Church, Millstone, N.J.

Surviving, along with his daughter, Beth, are his wife of 46 years, the former Antoinette Sammarco; his son, Brian; his daughters, Barbara DeMartini and Margaret Driscoll; his sister, Patricia Dunne, and eight grandchildren.

The funeral will be Wednesday. with a morning Mass in St. Joseph's Church in Millstone. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery, also Millstone. The Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, is handling arrangements.