Fr. Terence Kristofak C.P.

The world and our Passionist Community have lost a bright light. Father Terence “Terry” Kristofak, C.P., a beloved Passionist priest at Holy Family Monastery in West Hartford, CT, died unexpectedly on July 1, 2026, as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Born on February 7, 1941, in Hartford, CT, he was the son of the late Stephen G. Kristofak, Sr. and Norinne Walsh Kristofak. Father Terry grew up in Farmington and entered the Passionist Seminary in Dunkirk, NY, in 1959. He professed vows as a Passionist on August 15, 1962, taking the religious name Cormack of Our Lady of the Cross. Father Terry was ordained to the priesthood on May 30, 1969, and served in many roles throughout his years of ministry. In his early time in priesthood, Father Terry was a chaplain at Saint Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, MD. From there he was sent to teach religion at LaSalle College Prep in Philadelphia and also served as Formation Director for Passionist aspirants living there. He then became Vocation Director for the Passionists in Riverdale, NY, and went on to serve as Pastor of Saint Ann’s Monastery Basilica Parish in Scranton, PA. He returned to Connecticut and became Director at Holy Family Retreat Center until the time he was elected Provincial Superior of the Passionists. In his retirement, Father Terry studied sign language at American School for the Deaf and ministered with the deaf community at Saint Bridget Parish in Manchester, CT. He organized monthly outreach to serve meals at ImmaCare Shelter in Hartford and almost daily brought food that was donated to him for the residents. Father Terry also faithfully and compassionately ministered to the sick, the homebound, and those in hospice care until the time of his passing. In a world of distraction and division, Father Terry gave the gift of “attention” to all he met, especially to those on the margins of society. He brought a spirit of joy, compassion, and acceptance into every encounter, every homily, and every visit he had with those seeking wholeness and healing. He was sought after for spiritual direction by those in recovery programs, parishioners, religious sisters, and clergy from near and far. With master’s degrees in both education and counseling, he never aimed to speak above anyone, but rather to connect on a personal and spiritual level with each person where they were. He was fond of saying, “When I see your faith, my faith is better,” and “You never know what’s going on in the heart of the person sitting next to you.” Father Terry is survived by his brothers in the Passionist Community and his cherished family: his sisters-in-law, Susan Kelly Kristofak and Rosemary Moynahan Kristofak; his nieces and nephews, Sharon McHale and her husband, Patrick, Stephen Kristofak and Molly Steinle Kristofak, Sheila Kristofak and her husband, Tommaso Baratta, and John Kristofak and his wife, Ada Thompson Kristofak; several grand nieces and nephews; and his beloved pets, who are dearly missing him already. Father Terry also leaves behind his treasured colleague and devoted friend, Father David Cinquegrani, C.P., and his dear ministry companion, Father Stephen Sledesky, as well as countless others who mourn the loss of a kind and gentle spiritual leader who “made the world a better place by loving all he encountered.” In addition to his parents, Father Terry was preceded in death by his twin brother, Gerald “Gerry” Kristofak, and his older brother, Stephen “Skip” Kristofak, Jr. To accommodate the many community members and guests, visitation will be held on Monday, July 13, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Saint Mary’s Church, 626 Willard Avenue, Newington, CT, with a Wake Service beginning at 6:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Mary’s on Tuesday, July 14, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in the Holy Family Cemetery, followed by a reception at the Hursey Pavilion on the grounds of Holy Family. The services will be livestreamed. Please go to the Holy Family website www.holyfamilyretreat.org to find the link for the livestream. Arrangements are under the care of Molloy Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be offered in Father Terry’s memory to Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center, 303 Tunxis Road, West Hartford, CT 06107.