P.J. has lived in Omaha, NE his entire life.  He was a meat cutter for 13 years and worked 23 years for the Omaha Fire Division, holding all positions: Firefighter, FAE (Fire Apparatus Engineer) and the last seven years of his career he was promoted to Fire Captain. He retired in November of 2007. P.J. considers firefighting one of the best and most rewarding jobs in the country.

As a child, P.J. always had a passion for the arts. His other hobbies include Nebraska baseball and football, yard work, walking and occasionally telling a story or two.

P.J.’s love for carving began in 1992 and was inspired by his good friends, Fire Captain Bill Jenkins and Battalion Chief Jim Shober (both retired).  He joined Mid-America Woodcarvers in 1992. P.J. has been a member on the board for 3 terms and is a member of the National Woodcarvers Association. P.J. enjoys a variety of carving: chainsaw, relief, animals-but always seems to go back to caricatures. He enjoys and remains dedicated to caricature carving. Since retirement, he can now devote his time to carving along with spending time with his family.

P.J.’s love for woodcarving has been enhanced by attending seminars throughout the years. He has been attending the Doane Experience at Crete, NE since 1993.  In 2005, P.J. began co-teaching at the Doane Experience with Marty Dolphens, who is also an inspiration to him.  P.J. feels he has met not only some of the best carvers in the country, but some of the most interesting and talented people whom he considers good friends. He has attended workshops taught by Harold Enlow, Rex Branson, Kirt Curtis, Dave Stetson, Phil & Vicki Bishop, Bob Travis, Gerard Sears, Jeff Phares, Joe Wannamaker, Roger Lyons, Keith Morrill, Bill Butterfield and John Burke, who he deeply admires and enjoys his humor.

P.J. has been honored with numerous awards. He considers some of his greatest carving achievements to be: Best of Show CCA 2007, second Best of Show, People’s Choice CCA, 2004 and having a style of his own.  He has been a consistent blue ribbon winner in Mid-America Woodcarving shows.  P.J. has judged numerous woodcarving shows throughout Nebraska and Iowa. In 2008, he was inducted into the CCA.  Next to his family, he considers his induction to be his greatest achievement and feels honored to be a member.

P.J.’s wife, Marge, of 36 years, loves the caricatures but her favorite carvings are his Santas. His two sons, Pat and Jeff, have chosen to follow their father’s footsteps on the Omaha Fire Department and daughter, Nicole, works for the Omaha Public Power District. He enjoys babysitting and playing with his granddaughter, Reese and is looking forward to another grandbaby in April.  His family always has first choice of his carvings and usually lays claim to them.

Contact info:

P.J. Driscoll
9414 Edna Street
LaVista NE 68128
Home: (402) 763-4408
Cell: (402) 214-8299
pdriscoll@cox.net