US Navy Beach Jumpers Assoc.

NORTH BENNINGTON - Frederic J. Driscoll Jr., 88, died Tuesday, April 2, 2013, at Albany (N.Y.) Medical Center. He was born Sept. 30, 1924, in Bennington, the son of Frederic J. and Bertha (Loomis) Driscoll Sr. He received his education in North Bennington, and was a 1942 graduate of North Bennington High School. He later graduated from the former St. Joseph's Business College. He served during World War II as a member of the Naval Special Forces "Beach Jumpers Unit," amphibious forerunners of the Navy Seals. He saw action in the Pacific and European theatres, North Africa, the Mediterranean, and the aftermath of Pearl Harbor. He married the former Martha Alice Fine at St. John the Baptist Church in North Bennington on July 1, 1950. She died May 23, 2011. In earlier years he was employed by Metropolitan Life Insurance and at the William Eddington and Bill Hogan Chevrolet dealerships. He later served as Postmaster of North Bennington from 1968 to 1984, when he retired. He was a member of the American Legion Post 13 and the Bennington Lodge of Elks #567. He enjoyed horse racing, co-owned several horses, and was a member of the U.S. Trotting Association. He was also a parishioner of St. John the Baptist Church for 88 years. Survivors include his children, Lynn Longhurst of Marshall, Mich., Frederic J. Driscoll III of Bernard, Maine, Rita Driscoll-Blais of Hoosick Falls, N.Y., William Driscoll of Bennington, and John Driscoll of North Bennington; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by a granddaughter Jessie Driscoll Longhurst, and by two sisters, Eileen Pellerin and Mary Agnes Driscoll. The funeral will be held Monday, April 8, 2013, at 10:15 a.m. with a prayer from the Mahar & Son Funeral Home, and from St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in North Bennington at 11 a.m., where the Liturgy of Christian Death and Burial will be offered. Friends may call at the funeral home Sunday, April 7, from 2 to 5 p.m. Burial will take place in St. John's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to "Jessie's Gift," a mentoring program in memory of his granddaughter, through the office of the Mahar & Son Funeral Home, 628 Main St., Bennington, VT 05201. Members of the following organizations are asked to meet at the Mahar & Son Funeral Home on Sunday, April 7: American Legion Post 13 at 4 p.m. and Bennington Elks Lodge 567 at 4:30 p.m.

RDm/1c Frederic Driscoll BJU-4 1943-46 d. 4-02-2013 “Fair winds and following seas”

U.S. Navy Beach Jumpers Association (727) 4-USNBJA