The Reverend Theodore J. Klein, PhD, retired priest of the Diocese of Norwich, died Thursday, February 4, 2010, in Mystic, Connecticut. He was 81.
Father Klein’s life was devoted to serving his Country and faithfully serving the Catholic Church. Following a distinguished career as Captain in the United States Air Force Intelligence Service, Father Klein answered the call to become a Catholic Priest at age 40. As both pastor and educator, Father Klein is fondly remembered as a gifted, caring and joyful priest. He had been Pastor of St. Mary, Mother of our Redeemer Parish in Groton, Connecticut, for many years before retiring from St. Mary in 1999.
Father Klein was born in Kings Park, Long Island, N.Y., May 15, 1928, son of the late Paul W. and Marian A. Klein. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Francis College, Brooklyn, N.Y., a Master of Arts degree at Georgetown University, and a PhD in International Relations from the School of International Service at American University in Washington, D.C.
Father Klein prepared for his ordination at Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell, Ct., and completed his studies for the priesthood at Pope John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, MA.
He was ordained a priest for service in the Diocese of Norwich by Richard Cardinal Cushing, the late Archbishop of Boston, in Holy Cross Cathedral on May 21, 1969.
Shortly following his ordination, Father Klein began sharing his knowledge and spiritual guidance as a teacher at Notre Dame High School for Girls, in Norwich, and later at the then St. Bernard’s Boys’ High School in Uncasville.
Always generous with his time, Father Klein additionally served on many committees and commissions of importance to the diocese. Several such assignments include serving eighteen years as Ecumenical Officer of the Diocese, two terms with the Connecticut Conference of Catholic Bishops and Chairman of the Diocesan Medical Ethics Committee.
When time permitted, he loved to travel. He frequently led students and parishioners on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and always held a special fondness for Scotland and Ireland, the home of his ancestors.
Father Klein is predeceased by two sisters, Elizabeth A. Podgorski and Marie E. Kovarik, and by one brother, Paul W. Klein. He is survived by six nieces and nephews – Francis T. Podgorski, Judith M. Boeree, Barbara P. Dalzell, Albert F. Kovarik, Barbara J. Isoldi and Tracy Klein.
The Transfer of the Body to St. Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Church, 69 Groton Long Point Road, Groton, CT will take place at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 9, 2010. Following that ceremony, Father Klein’s body will lie in state from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Church. A Parish Mass will be celebrated for his repose on Tuesday evening, February 9, at 7:00 p.m. in St. Mary’s Church. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Most Reverend Michael R. Cote, Bishop of Norwich, on Wednesday, February 10, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Church.
Burial will be in St. Patrick Cemetery, Old Mystic, Connecticut. The Dinoto Funeral Home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic is handling the arrangements.
Donations may be made in honor of Father Klein to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research (www.michaeljfox.org), Church St. Station, P.O. Box 780, New York, NY 10008 or Saint Bernard High School Endowment Trust Fund, 201 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360.
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