John T. O’Driscoll Jr., who gave more than three decades to the Chelsea Fire Department and retired as its Captain of Arson Investigation, died on August 7, 2026. He was 76.
He was born on November 4, 1949 in Chelsea, the son of the late John O’Driscoll Sr. and Theresa M. (Arsenault) O’Driscoll, and he grew up here. He coached Little League baseball and youth ice hockey in the city.
He served six years in the Naval Air Reserve during the Vietnam War. He began his fire service career with the Rockland Fire Department and joined the Chelsea Fire Department in 1973. He retired in 2007 as Captain of Arson Investigation and was a member of Chelsea Firefighters Local 937.
He met his wife when they were both fifteen. He married Patricia A. Sandquist on June 13, 1970, and they raised two sons, Sean and Kevin.
He played piano and guitar, drew and painted, rode with the U.S. Military Veterans Motorcycle Club, and travelled widely with his wife. They retired to Center Ossipee, New Hampshire.
He is survived by his wife, his two sons and their wives, seven grandchildren, his brother Richard O’Driscoll, and many nieces and nephews who knew him as Uncle Ody.
Compiled by Chelsea Record staff from information published by Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea, (617) 889-2723. This is our own summary, not the family’s obituary; read the full obituary and leave a condolence at the funeral home’s page. Corrections: we will fix any error promptly.