Grand Haven Mens Golf Assoc.

Tom Driscoll started out as a carpenter/cabinet maker for 8 years. During that time, he took the test for the Chicago Fire Department, passed it, got on the list- and waited for a spot. He finally became a Fire Department candidate when he was 26 years old. When he reported to the house his captain took one look at him and said he was big and strong so he would handball when not out on a run. It was one of the few Chicago fire houses with a handball court. He played for handball for the 36 years he was a fireman and continued to play when he retired in Chicago and in Florida. Tom retired in July 2002, since there was a mandatory retirement age for firefighters and police in Chicago.

 

         While working as a firefighter he continued to work aide jobs as a carpenter and general contractor. He also started an architectural millwork company, employing 45 carpenters. His company built dozens of Kentucky Fried Chicken stores and did many office and display room interiors at the Chicago Merchandise Mart. After retiring from the Fire Department as a Lieutenant, he worked for Turner Construction as a carpenter superintendent for the Chicago relocation site of Boeing headquarters. Unfortunately, the project was suspended after 9/11.

 

         He had neighbors (Bruce & Peggy Smith) who were moving to Grand Haven and another couple moving to Halifax at the same time. He took a weekend to visit and decided spontaneously to buy a lot, build a house, and move. He has lived in Grand Haven for 19 years, and he has been a member of the Grand Haven Mens Golf Association for all of those years.