John Joseph Driscoll

John Joseph “Jack” Driscoll, 83, died peacefully on June 26, 2024, at his home in Andover, Massachusetts.

A native of Dedham, Massachusetts Jack attended Dedham public schools and was a graduate of Northeastern University where he received a degree in mechanical engineering with honors. He served in the Army Corps of Engineers as an officer during the Vietnam War and subsequently earned a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Jack also completed the Senior Executive Program at MIT.

During his long career at the Polaroid Corporation, Jack worked with Dr. Edwin Land and helped create the SX-70 camera, which popularized instant photography in the 1970s and 1980s. Photographers such as Ansel Adams, Andy Warhol, Helmut Newton, and Walker Evans praised and used the SX-70. The camera retains a cult following today. As a part of this work, Jack held four patents and played a role in the landmark case of Polaroid Corporation vs. Eastman Kodak Company in the 1980s, the largest U.S. patent infringement case at the time.

After his tenure at Polaroid, Jack took on a new challenge by completing the Certified Financial Planner program at Boston University where he later served as a lecturer. He affiliated with Needham Advisory in North Andover and led the Greater Lawrence YMCA Executive Board as the organization grew in scope and breadth.

Jack and his family spent each summer in Chatham, Cape Cod for many decades. He volunteered at the Chatham Yacht Club on Pleasant Bay and led the organization as Commadore. His love of boats continued with his creation of a series of half-hull model boats in his workshop in Andover and his study at the ship museum at the Boston Navy Yard.

In his later years, Jack worked tirelessly on the restoration of The Schoolhouse, (The Parish School) built in 1863, a historic one-room schoolhouse on Aquidneck Island in Rhode Island which was attended by his wife’s grandmother.

Jack’s life is significant by his strong love of family and wise guidance. His is a life well lived.

Jack is survived by his beloved wife, Alix, of fifty-seven years, and his children, Mark Sangster Driscoll and his spouse, Alicia, of White Plains, New York and Hilary Driscoll Price and spouse, Richard “Mac” Price, of Winchester, Massachusetts. He also leaves his six loving grandchildren: Zachary and Vera Driscoll and Harper, Declan, Leighton and Callum Price. He also leaves his brother, James Driscoll and spouse, Carol, of Dedham, Massachusetts and his brother, Gerald Driscoll and spouse, Patricia, of New Orleans, Louisiana.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be given in his name to Lazarus House in Lawrence, Massachusetts. The Driscoll family hosted an open house at their home in Andover, MA on Tuesday July 9,2024. For online condolences please visit www.contefuneralhomes.com.