O’DRISCOLL, Michael

It is with sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Mike O’driscoll on Feb. 28, 2024, at the age of 63. From an early age, Mike filled his days with nature, sports, friends, and hobbies that he deeply loved. He was loved immensely and will be dearly missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and students. His younger years were spent being a proud player and supporter of the Swilers Rugby Club, where he made many lifelong friends. Mike was also an avid cyclist and competed in Europe as a member of the Canadian National Team. He enjoyed going for a skate on any frozen pond, hockey, playing board games, reading books, and building his CD collection. He was also a visual artist, a talent that he passed on to his kids, and a woodworker, a passion he shared with his father and brother Steve, which continued to the present day. During his university years, he worked with at-risk youth which sparked an interest in child psychology. This led him to complete his Masters in Psychology from Memorial University. His desire to help others extended into his personal life, where he was always the first to offer help or give his opinion, whether solicited or not. He instilled a love of nature in his family through hiking, cycling, camping, fishing, boating, swimming, and everything else that didn’t involve a screen. He spent countless hours at his children’s activities and always nurtured their interests and talents. While raising his family, his passion for helping others led him to many destinations across NL, finally settling in Bay Roberts, where he retired from Amalgamated Academy in 2023 after being a guidance counselor for 31 years. Since retirement, he continued to live an active life and enjoyed working in his shed on his next project or at Subway, where he made even more friends and stayed active in the community. Predeceased by his parents, Dr. William and Gayle O’driscoll; brothers, Kelly O’driscoll and Steve O’driscoll (Donna); parentsin-law, Fred and Olive Lewis; and beloved dog, Jockey; June Till. Survived by his wife of 27 years, Dale O’driscoll; his children, Jack, Haley (John Peyton), and Jillian (Steve Hammond); grandchildren, Abigail and Annabelle Hammond; brothers and sisters, Sean O’driscoll (Shelly), Patrick O’driscoll (Arlene), Carrie O’driscoll (Ed Hipsz), Ann Donnelly (Brent); close friend Dave Penney; and ; his inlaws, Dave Lewis (Brenda); Jim Lewis (Cathy); Perry Lewis (Judy); Marie Lewis; and many other extended family members and friends. A Celebration of Life will be held in mid-august following Haley’s return from Japan. Any donations to be made to Choices for Youth. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Slade’s Funeral Home, serving Carbonear, Upper Island Cove, Bay Roberts, Spaniard’s Bay and surrounding areas.