István József Balint, a Roman Catholic priest, was born on December 21, 1938, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to István József Balint and Ilona Varga (Helen I. Varga). He completed his studies at St. Stephen’s Parish School in Bridgeport and then at Fairfield College Preparatory School. He began his priestly formation at Saint Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield and continued it at Our Lady of Angels Seminary in Albany, New York.

He was ordained a priest on May 22, 1965, for the Diocese of Bridgeport. The ordination was presided over by Bishop Walter W. Curtis at Saint Augustine Cathedral in Bridgeport.

He began his priestly ministry as an assistant pastor at Saint Joseph Parish in Danbury (1965–1967) and then continued at Saint Ambrose Parish in Bridgeport (1967–1970). In 1970, at the same parish, he became co-pastor of a “Team Ministry”—a pastoral model that was innovative at the time—a position he held until 1971. He was subsequently appointed coordinator of Catholic Scouting in the Norwalk–Ridgefield area.

Father Balint was himself an Eagle Scout, and from 1968 to 1971 he served as chaplain for the Pomperaug Council. For his many years of service, the Connecticut Yankee Council bestowed upon him numerous awards and honors.

His service to the Hungarian Catholic communities in Connecticut was particularly significant. For nearly four decades, he served as a resident priest at St. Ladislaus Parish in South Norwalk, where he was the coordinator of Hungarian pastoral ministry. He spoke Hungarian at a native level, regularly celebrated Mass in Hungarian, and also served as an assistant pastor to the Hungarian community at St. Emery Church in Fairfield. In 1976, he participated in one of the highlights of Cardinal József Mindszenty’s historic visit to the United States, which was held at St. Ladislaus Parish in South Norwalk.

He served as chaplain to the South Norwalk Council No. 1253 of the Knights of Columbus and was also a Fourth Degree, Life Member of the organization.

On January 15, 2014, he retired from service in the Diocese of Bridgeport. He spent his retirement years at the Catherine Dennis Keefe Queen of the Clergy Residence in Stamford, while continuing to assist at Masses at St. Bridget of Ireland Parish in Stamford.

Father István József Balint passed away on May 16, 2020, at the age of 81. His funeral service was held on May 26, 2020, at Saint Ann Parish in Bridgeport, presided over by Prelate William J. Scheyd, after which he was laid to rest at Saint Michael’s Cemetery in Stratford. A memorial Mass was celebrated on October 8, 2020, with Frank J. Caggiano serving as the principal celebrant.