Rev. Henry Balchunas

Reverend Henry Balchunas of Niantic, CT and Juno Beach FL entered into eternal life on May 6, 2024.
Born in Smilgiu Village Lithuania January 8, 1937. He was the son of the late Vaclovas and Malvina Balchunas. He experienced the horror and hardships of World War II with the occupation of Russian and Germany troops in Lithuania. Father along with his parents fled Lithuania for Germany and then they immigrated to the USA in 1949 settling in Hartford CT.
Father Balchunas was a graduate of Saint Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield CT and Saint Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, MD. Father was ordained to the Roman Catholic priesthood on May 27, 1965 by the late Archbishop Henry J. O'Brien at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, CT.
Father Balchunas served in parishes throughout the Archdiocese including the communities of Sharon, Canaan, Waterbury, New Haven, Wallingford and lastly in Wolcott where he served as Co-Pastor, Pastor and Administrator of St. Pius X Church in Wolcott for more than twenty-seven years until his retirement on January 8th of 2012.
Father Balchunas through his priestly ministry formed lifetime friendships with many of his parishioners.
Father Balchunas is survived by his loving niece Jurate Staneviciute, with whom he made his home. He is also survived by his sister Maryte and her husband Bronius Stanevicius of Vilnius, Lithuania. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Most Rev. Christopher J. Coyne, Archbishop of Hartford, on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 11:00 am, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph, 140 Farmington Ave. Hartford, burial will follow in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Molloy Funeral Home, West Hartford has care of arrangements. Directions and online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com
Live Stream of Mass https://www.youtube.com/@cathedralofst.josephhartfo8576/streams