Rev. Zigford J. Kriss
Deceased: 2013-09-05
Diocese: HARTFORD
Seminary Graduation Year: 1959
The Reverend Zigford J. Kriss, 84, Retired Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Hartford, died Thursday, September 5, 2013. Born and raised in Bloomfield, son of the late Joseph and Frances (Przyzanowski) Kriss, the youngest of nine siblings, he graduated from Bloomfield High School. He studied and graduated from Saint Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield, Saint Bernard’s Seminary, Rochester, NY, and the North American College in Rome where he studied and graduated from The Pontifical Gregorian University. He was ordained on December 20, 1958 by The Most Reverend Martin J. O’Connor. He celebrated his first Mass at a chapel in the Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, one of Rome’s four major basilicas, and returned during his quinquennial North American College reunions to give thanks to Mary, to whom he had a special devotion. Father Kriss’s first assignment was to Holy Cross Parish in New Britain. He then completed a graduate degree in education at Trinity College, all while on the faculty and administration of East Catholic High School, Manchester. He was then named Principal of South Catholic High School in 1973 where he served until 1979 when he became Pastor of Saint Stanislaus Parish in Meriden. On June 1, 1992, Father Kriss was appointed Superintendent of Catholic Schools where he served until his retirement on July 31, 2004. During his time as superintendent he also served as Temporary Administrator of Saint Peter Claver Church, West Hartford. As superintendent he oversaw 87 schools in towns throughout the Archdiocese of Hartford. Father Kriss took great joy in the company of his many friends and family members and generously shared his time, concern, prayer and even a gourmet dinner he himself prepared. An avid and accomplished chef with his own special recipes, he relished his daily crossword puzzle, reading the great theologians, especially Avery Cardinal Dulles, and contemplative walks along the ocean. His eight siblings, Mary Kriss, Martha Hacia, Florence Havrilvuk, Leo, Alexander, Joseph, Stanley, and Walter, all predeceased him. He is survived by many nieces and nephews and his devoted caregivers of many years. They are joined in sorrow by the many thousands of individuals that Father Kriss’s kindness touched throughout his life and service to the Lord. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2013, from 8:30 to 10:45 a.m. at Saint Thomas Seminary, 467 Bloomfield Avenue, Bloomfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. with the Most Reverend Henry J. Mansell, Archbishop of Hartford, as the principal celebrant. A reception will follow Mass, and burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, New Britain.
