John Stephen "Sean" Driscoll

John Stephen (Sean) Driscoll

Sean died at his home in Cedarhurst on Sunday, March 22, 2026, surrounded by his devoted family. He would have celebrated his 99th birthday on June 7.

Born and raised in Lisheen, Skibbereen, Sean was one of nine children, the third son of John Stephen and Hannah (Fitzgerald) O’Driscoll. In 1948 Sean left his native home and sailed from Cobh on the RMS Mauritania to New York to seek “fame and fortune”. In New York he met and married his beloved wife Mary (Giblin) of Glenamaddy, Co. Galway. They were happily married for sixty-sevenyears until Mary’s passing on January 27, 2019.

Sean served his adopted country with distinction in the United States Army, where he was a member of the 25thArmy Infantry Regiment during the Korean War. He rose to the rank of Sergeant and was the recipient of several honors, including the Combat Infantry Award. Notably, Sean fought in the renowned Battle of the Pusan Perimeter, demonstrating courage and commitment to his fellow soldiers and his country.

In 1955, Sean embarked on a remarkable career with the New York City Police Department. He began his service as a Police Officer, working in the 79th and 70th Precincts, where he protected the streets of Brooklyn. His leadership and dedication led to his promotion to Sergeant in 1966, with an assignment to the 72nd Precinct. Shortly thereafter, Sean was again promoted, this time to Lieutenant, and served in both the 80th Precinct and the Brooklyn North Command. Sean’s talents were further recognized when he was appointed Detective Squad Commander, taking on the responsibilities of Commanding Officer for the Detective Squads in the 109th and 106th Precincts. In this capacity, he supervised numerous successful investigations. Sean retired from the NYPD in 1989, concluding an exemplary career marked by integrity, commitment, and a lasting impact on the communities he served. He started a family tradition in the NYPD, whereupon both of his sons, daughter-in-law, grandson, nephews and grand- nephews followed so that now the family has 209 years of dedicated service in the NYPD.

Sean was a loyal and dedicated member of the County Cork Association for 58 years. He successfully chaired many committees and served as President in 1985 and thereafter served for many years as a Trustee. He was celebrated as Corkman of the Year in 1991 and was honored again in 2018 as a fifty-year member. He took great pride in his service to his country, his city and the County Cork Association.

He is survived by his sons, John and Kevin, and their wives, Phylis and Linda, as well as his sister Mae O’Driscoll. He also has 5 grandchildren: Kerri, Sean, James, Brian, and Danny as well as seven great-grandchildren--Declan, Liam, Luke, Jack, and Clara Driscoll, along with Killian and Teagan Murphy—who will remember Sean with love and admiration. He also has many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews who mourn his passing. May it bring comfort to know that Sean is now reunited with his beloved wife, Mary, and his siblings, Florence, Denis, Willie, Paddy, Joe, Mary, and Eileen.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to WNET Public Media. 

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