Fred Leo Driscoll
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DRISCOLL, M.A., FREDERICK LEO. teacher, principal, and professor; b. 18 August 1932 in Mount Herbert, son of Joseph J. Driscoll and Isabelle Suzanna Coady; m. 26 October 1957 Bernadette Mary McManus, and they had two children, James William and Jennifer Elizabeth; Roman Catholic; d. 27 October 2000 in Charlottetown. Driscoll, a Conservative, w'as first elected to the Legislative Assembly in the general election of 1978 for 3rd Queens. He was re-elected in the general elections of 1979 and 1982. Driscoll was defeated in the general election of 1986. On 3 May 1979, Driscoll was appointed Minister of Education and Minister of Health. On 1 April 1980, Driscoll was appointed Minister of Education and served until 1982. Following that year’s general election, Driscoll was appointed Minister of Energy and Forestry. He was also Minister Responsible for Native Affairs from 1979 to 1986 and Minister Responsible for Trade from 1982 to 1986. Driscoll acted as Government House Leader from 1982 to 1986. He chaired the Policy and Priorities Committee of Cabinet from 1979 to 1982 and the Economic Development Committee of Cabinet from 1982 to 1986. He also served on the Intergovernmental Affairs and the Constitution Committee of Cabinet. As part of his ministerial responsibility with Intergovernmental Affairs, Driscoll participated in the discussions leading to the patriation of the Canadian Constitution. In 1981, upon the resignation of Premier John Angus MacLean*, Driscoll was a candidate for the leadership of the Conservative party, finishing third behind winner James Lee* and second-place candidate Barry Clark"'. Driscoll received his early education at the Mount Herbert Elementary School. He graduated from St. Dunstan’s University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Driscoll also studied at the University of New Brunswick. Following his graduation from St. Dunstan’s in 1953, Driscoll taught in Brackley Point, Southport, Queen Square, and Birchwood. He served as school principal at the Southport School. From 1955 to 1965, he was in the Canadian Army Militia where he reached the rank of Lieutenant. In 1962 Driscoll enrolled at the University of Ottawa where he earned a Master of Arts degree in Canadian history. He returned to the Island and began teaching at St. Dunstan’s University from 1965 to 1969. From 1967 to 1969, he was president of the Faculty Association of St. Dunstan’s University. From 1969 until he retired on 30 June 1997, Driscoll taught Canadian history at the University of Prince Edward Island, with the exception of the years 1979 to 1986, when he was on leave to accept political office. He served as chair of the Department of History from 1967 to 1968, from 1975 to 1979, and again from 1992 to 1997. Driscoll was faculty representative to the University Senate from 1966 to 1978. From 1971 to 1978, he was the faculty representative to the board of governors of the Canadian Association of University Teachers. He also served on a number of senate, faculty, and faculty association committees. In October 1986 Driscoll was appointed chair of the Royal Commission on the Prince Edward Island Potato Industry. The report was completed in November 1987. In 1993 he was selected to serve on the Electoral Boundaries Commission of Prince Edward Island, and in September of the same year was appointed to the Federal Electoral Boundaries Commission as the representative for the province. Also in 1993 Driscoll was appointed to the board of the Prince Edward Island Museum and Heritage Foundation. He was a member of the United Services Officers Club, the Belvedere Golf and Winter Club, and the Stanhope Golf Club. Driscoll coached school rugby and minor hockey. Driscoll had many of his writings published. He wrote articles for the Dictionary of Canadian Biography on Daniel Gordon1', Premier Donald Farquharson*, and Donald Ferguson*. In 1998 his article, “History and politics of Prince Edward Island,” appeared in Canadian Parliamentary Review. Driscoll published several articles in The Guardian and wrote a chapter entitled “The Island and the Dominion” in F. W. P. Bolger’s book, Canada’s Smallest Province: A History of PEI. Driscoll also authored the Prince Edward Island Report of the Royal Commission on the Prince Edward Island Potato Industry (1987). He was the originator of Minding the House, and directed its progression until his death. Frederick Driscoll died 27 October 2000. He is survived by his wife and children. Bernadette Driscoll is the daughter of William McManus of Charlottetown. J. Russell Driscoll*, who represented 3rd Queens from 1959 to 1970, was Fred Driscoll’s cousin and godfather., CPG 1986, 1987; CWW 1999 p. 349; Guardian 31 October 1981, 5 November 1981, 9 November 1981, 30 October 2000; ECO 240/80; PEI Cabinet Biographic Summary 1980; UPEI: Robertson Library; PEI Collection.