DRISCOLL, Patrick “Pat”, age 47 of Helena passed away on September 7, 2023. A memorial service will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 15th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. with a reception to follow in the social hall of the funeral home. Burial will take place in Butte, MT at a later date.
Pat Driscoll’s life was unfortunately ended on September 7, 2023 in Helena, MT at age 47. Pat is survived by his wife Felicia Driscoll, father and mother Bernie and Terry Driscoll, and sweet pup Gloria.
Patrick was born in Bozeman, MT on November 6, 1975. He grew up thriving in all things that make Montana wonderful. He loved skiing, hunting, fishing, riding dirt bikes, and playing baseball. He graduated Bozeman High in 1994 and attended Montana State University where he was a proud Pi Kappa Alpha. He took a year to study abroad in Australia and upon his return Pat joined the United States Air Force. He was stationed to Hurlburt Air Force Base in Florida with the Special Operations Command, serving proudly as an Aerospace Maintenance Techinian for AC-130 Gunships. He separated in late 2002 after winning a multitude of awards, quickly rising to the rank of Senior Airmen and earning his Bachelors degree in Professional Aeronautics. He later earned his Masters of Science in Psychology from Capella University.
Patrick then returned home to Montana. It was shortly after this on a camping and boating trip that he met the love of his life and his best friend, Felicia. While their love was founded in friendship, Patrick knew quickly that he and Felicia’s future was his destiny. In 2008 they married and with their fur babies Jema and Fala, moved to Helena, MT.
In 2007, Patrick began working for the Veterans Benefits Administration in Helena. Patrick immediately found his value and importance within the organization. As a Decision Review Officer and later a Rating Quality Review Specialist and Union Vice President, Patrick loved to advocate for what he believed in. There was no bigger champion when he believed in a cause. Over the years, Patrick made the VA an extended family and his impact throughout the organization was profound. He believed in the sacred mission to honor all Veterans across the nation.
Patrick was passionate, strong-willed, and stubborn. While those traits describe Patrick in a great way they were not all encompassing. Those who had the pleasure of getting close to him loved his intense wit, sophomoric humor, tender and soulful heart; he was kind and gentle, poetic and philosophical, he never took himself too seriously, he always loved a great prank, and had an absolute love for animals and for his family.
While he is no longer physcially present, his soul carries on with the many lives he’s touched. In his honor, we are tasked to live this life to the fullest, share his unwavering generosity of spirit, invest in each other, and always reach back for the next person. Patrick’s memories will live on with several aunts, uncles, and cousins as well as countless loved ones to include his sister Annie Driscoll, her husband Max and children Charlie, Vivian, and Titan. He is also loved and survived by his mother-in-law Judy Restad, sister-in-law Misti Fyfe, her husband Shaun and their son Ole. Patrick will be welcomed by his grandparents and several family members along with his dogs Goldie, Jema, Fala, Porter, and his cats Bobo and Toot Toot all on the rainbow bridge.
Services for Patrick Driscoll will be held in Helena, MT on Friday, September 15, 2023 at 2:00pm with a reception to follow. Join us at Anderson Stevenson & Wilke Funeral Home or join us online, details at (https://helenafuneralhome.com/upcoming-services/). In lieu of flowers the family requests any donations be sent to the Lewis & Clark Humane Society, where Pat and Felicia found many of their beloved babies (lchsmontana.org).
May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Adam B says
Thoughts are with the families involved. I only met Pat once while working with the VA, but did have the pleasure of speaking to him MANY, MANY times and had his mentoring as well. He will be missed by all.
Mike Haegele says
Pat was a truly wonderful person and a great advocate for Veterans and VBA employees. I worked with Pat since he began in 2004; I like to think i can call him a good friend. We shared many conversations over the years about work and family. He will be sorely missed by all of us who knew him.
Dan S says
Pat helped me get on with the VBA about 4 years ago, and we recently worked on the new PACT Act changes at work for the last 9 months or so. Pat’s advocacy for Veterans was unparalleled, and it was a pleasure working with him. His enthusiasm, energy, and humor will be missed among Veterans and his co-workers’, alike. We will miss you, Pat – thank you for all you did for us as your fellow co-workers, as well as for the Veterans you served.
Diane says
Felicia and family
I was so sorry to learn Pat passed away. I met him through my kids Kristy and Josh Klein. . I always saw him as a kind person and know his life ended way to soon. You are in my thoughts and prayers. With deepest sympathy Diane Pedersen
Russ Landry says
I’m so sorry to hear of Pat’s passing. We were roommates in 1998 and 1999 in the Air Force. I have so many good memories of Pat and the wonderful person he is. I will never forget his sense of humor/nickname assigning , care free attitude, and enormous heart. My thoughts and prayers go out to family and friends.
Russ “Bayou Bomber” Landry
Dawn Gillespie says
I am truly sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers to the family.
Cindy Johnson says
Pat was my mentor when I first started my new position as a R.V.S.R. He was so knowledgeable, and what a great person, I knew I could ask him anything and he was more than happy to help. He was a fun person to have a conversation with, I remember when he was evaluating one of my claims, he sent me this message: “ I did not have time to tell you my funny story…BBQ was being a bit difficult starting last night, when it finally went off lost a bit of my eye brows, eye lashes, goatee, arm hair…and smelt like burnt hair for about an hour. I knew I should have let the propane disapate so I opened the lid…tried to fan the gas out, but right when I hit the button, I remembered propane is heavy and dissipates slowly….whoooosh. I am thankful I am bald! I have a cousin in Heaven, that I imagined laughing his butt off! wife was craving chilli dogs…goatee needed trimming anyway”. Unfortunately, with COVID, I only met him in person one time. My condolences, to Felicia, all his family, friends, and co-workers, he will be missed at the Veteran’s Benefits Administration, that is for sure.
Jamie statton says
Oh my goodness. I can’t even believe this. I have so many great memories. I remember when I bought the toilet shaped coffee mug as a white elephant gift and cheated and showed it to Pat ahead of the party and he fought everyone to get it and used it often. Or when you told Angie and I that you had driven your Harley into the finished basement because she was cold. Always joking. Always laughing. You will be missed my friend.
Maura Uggetti says
So sorry for your loss. He sounds like an extremely accomplished loving person. He will certainly be missed by so many people whim’s lives he touched. Thank you for your service dear Patrick. Godspeed 💔💔🙏🙏
Charles O'Donnell says
So many good memories of Pat… his story telling was epic in the way it was presented. Loved seeing him happy after meeting Felicia…his explanation of when he knew he and her were as one (involves natural gas LOL) …his highschool humor (which I share) …his realization after analysis of what was important in life (Harley tip over story)…etc…. his demener was very welcoming and focused on meaningful conversations or hilarious events…..a winning combination when he was talking with you. May you RIP Pat.
Jess Raths says
Pat was a witty thoughtful soul. I always enjoyed our late night philosophical banter at Perkins. Those nights were some of my fondest memories in college. I’m so sorry for your loss, you are in my thoughts.
Beverly Gentry says
Pat and Dennis were good friends in the early years he lived in Belgrade.
They planted a money tree and watered Mr. Wilson house.
They went camping with Mr. Driscoll and learned how to put up a tent.
When The family moved to Bozeman the boys lost touch but Pat was always a freind to Dennis
so sorry for your lost and you are in our thoughts.
Cathy Kaiser says
My most sincere and deepest heartfelt condolences to all of Pat’s family – and to all his VBA family. Not only did I respect and admire his work knowledge and helpfulness, but NOBODY appreciated my remote-control fart machine as much as I did – except for Pat. And one has to love that – a fantastic sense of humor!
Betty Franklin says
Felicia, Misti, and Family,
My heart goes out to all of you! Pat was such a teddy bear who truly cared about people in a wholehearted way. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy of helping others will live on forever. Much prayers and love sent to all of you during this time.
Catherine Hellwitz says
I retired shortly before Pat’s passing and was so sad to hear the news. He was a man with a heart as big as the Ocean and his passion for helping veterans was just as big. Pat helped me more times than I can say during my time with VBA and he and his contagious smile as well as his expertise will be greatly missed. May the Lord comfort you all during this time of sorrow and loss and may He brighten the days ahead with loving and happy memories of Pat.