Msgr. Krysztofik, devoted alumnus,
Fidelitas medalist

Msgr. Joseph Krysztofik

Msgr. Joseph Krysztofik was publicly recognized in 1982 as "Alumnus of the Year" by the Orchard Lake Schools Alumni Association.
However, he well could have been the "Alumnus of Every Year," so devoted was he to the mission of his Alma Mater.
Msgr. Krysztofik died Jan. 24, 2002, at the St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center in Lawrenceville, N. J. He was 77. The funeral mass was celebrated on Jan. 30 at Sacred Heart Church in Manville, N. J., where he had served, first, for six years (1963-1969) as an associate pastor, and then, as pastor from 1971 to his retirement in 1996.
His contribution to church, community and Polonia was heralded by the Orchard Lake Schools in 1989 when he received the Schools¹ highest honor, the Fidelitas Medal.
Three years earlier, he had been named a monsignor by Pope John Paul II. In 2000, Msgr. Krysztofik celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.
A native of Trenton, N. J., Msgr. Krysztofik was a graduate of each of the Orchard Lake Schools: St. Mary's Prep in 1942 and St. Mary¹s College in 1946; in 1976, he received a Master of Divinity degree from SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary. In 1992, he was inducted into the Prep¹s Sports Wall of Fame for his athletic prowess in basketball and baseball.
Msgr. Krysztofik was a member of the Schools' Board of Regents since 1972. He was a former member of the Prep¹s Board of Trustees and, at the time of his passing, was a member of the Seminary's Board of Trustees.
He served six years (1982-1988) as national president of the Orchard Lake Schools Alumni Association. He received the Alumni Convention Merit Award in 1976. He was a perpetual member of the Orchard Lake Ambassadors since 1985 and a member of the Chancellor's Senate since 1986.
Msgr. Krysztofik was the driving force behind the New Jersey Alumni District, serving as president and as chair of the district's annual Friendship Party and as a member of the Founder¹s Day General Committee both at Orchard Lake and in New Jersey, and as chaplain of the district¹s Ladies Auxiliary chapter. He was responsible for the recruitment of many students for the Schools and for introducing numerous people as honorary alumni.
Msgr. Krysztofik served parishes in Trenton, Perth Amboy, Bound Brook, Burlington and Hopewell. Following his retirement, he lived at the Maria Regina Residence in Somerset and, for the past five years, was a weekend assistant at Immaculate Conception Church in Clinton, whose pastor, Fr. Andrew Szaroleta (College '73, Seminary '77), gave the homily at the monsignor¹s funeral mass.
Orchard Lake Schools¹ Chancellor-emeritus Msgr. Stanley Milewski was the homilist at a vigil mass Jan. 29.
At Sacred Heart parish, Msgr. Krysztofik oversaw renovations of several buildings and ran the parish's drum and bugle corps in the 1960s and 1970s. The corps, with more than a hundred participants, performed in Washington, D. C., Detroit and other cities. He organized Knights of Columbus St. Jude Council 6573. He coordinated the American Polish Festival at the Garden State Arts Center and was president of the Priests for Polish Affairs in both the Trenton and Metuchen dioceses. He also was chaplain of the Manville Fire Department.
In 1997, Msgr. Krysztofik was named "Man of the Year" by the Polish American Cultural Endeavors Association, an organization of businesspeople in Greenbrook.
Three nephews who attended Orchard Lake are among his survivors: Edward Krisak (Prep '55), of Robbinsville, N. J.; Dr. Joseph Krisak (Prep '67, College '71), of Memphis, Tenn.; and Stanley Krysztofik (College '57) of Trenton. Stanley¹s wife, Dolores (a 1985 honorary alumnus), is president of the New Jersey Ladies Auxiliary chapter.

TRIBUTES

A LIVING LINK
"It¹s a long way from Orchard Lake, Michigan, to New Jersey, but Msgr. Joe Krysztofik, through his endless trips back and forth and his untiring efforts to rally the alumni of his Alma Mater, shortened the distance to a heartbeat. As the patriarch of the Orchard Lake Family in New Jersey, Msgr. Krysztofik was the living link between the Schools and so many friends and alumni of that great state. And he brought back to the campus insights to Polonia and pastoral life as a member of the Seminary Board of Trustees and the Board of Regents. Orchard Lake honored Msgr. Krysztofik with its highest award, the Fidelitas Medal, but for the love with which he served his priesthood, Orchard Lake prays that he will be rewarded with eternal life. Chancellor Rev. Timothy Whalen.

LOVED WITH A PASSION
"There have been many alumni who have loved Orchard Lake with a passion and who have translated that love into dedication and service for the welfare of their Alma Mater. In recent times Msgr. Krysztofik stood at the head of the line of these die-hards for Orchard Lake, and his example will not be forgotten by those who witnessed this devotion." Chancellor-Emeritus Msgr. Stanley E. Milewski.

NAME INDELIBLY RECORDED
"From the day I met Msgr. Joseph Krysztofik in September of 1940, when I came to Orchard Lake as a freshman in the Prep and he was a junior, I have always admired and respected him. As a student, he excelled in studies, athletics and extra-curricular activities. As a priest, he served God, Church and His people with fidelity and dedication. As an Orchard Lake alumnus he was loyal, active and always the leader. Msgr. Krysztofik's name has been recorded in the history of the Orchard Lake Schools with indelible letters. We are deeply grateful for his life, his work and his love." Former President-Rector Rev. Walter J. Ziemba