It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Fr. Ken Molinaro, CSC, former principal and first president of Notre Dame College Prep in Notre Dame, Indiana. Fr. Ken passed away yesterday evening after a courageous four-year battle with dementia. His loss leaves a profound void in the hearts of family, friends, colleagues, and the many students and educators whose lives he touched.
Fr. Ken’s life was a testament to faith, compassion, and dedicated service. From an early age, he exhibited the temperament, patience, and wisdom that would later define his vocation as a priest and educator. His decision to enter the priesthood felt both natural and inevitable, allowing him to serve as a spiritual guide while positively influencing countless lives. Throughout his career, he carried himself with a quiet dignity, offering guidance without imposing, and teaching by example rather than words alone.
As principal in both elementary and high school settings, Fr. Ken earned the respect and admiration of students, faculty, and parents alike. His tenure at Notre Dame College Prep was marked by steady leadership during critical periods of growth and transition. Later, he served as assistant provincial of the Holy Cross order at the University of Notre Dame and as Novice Master at the Holy Cross Novitiate in Cascade, Colorado. In each role, Fr. Ken’s steady, thoughtful presence and unwavering commitment to service left an enduring legacy.
Those fortunate enough to know him remember Fr. Ken as a gentle, caring, and deeply sensitive individual. His wisdom, warmth, and calm demeanor touched every interaction, creating an environment of support and encouragement. Friends and family recount his quiet generosity, his ability to uplift others without fanfare, and his unwavering faith, which guided him through both life’s joys and challenges. Even as dementia gradually stole his physical presence, his spirit, grace, and inherent kindness remained undiminished, leaving a lasting impression on all who knew him.
Fr. Ken’s family, siblings, and the Notre Dame College Prep community share in profound grief, yet they also celebrate a life marked by love, service, and unwavering devotion. His impact on the lives of students, colleagues, and community members will be felt for generations to come.
Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Fr. Ken’s family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. May they find comfort in cherished memories and in the enduring legacy of his faith, wisdom, and love. Fr. Ken Molinaro, CSC, will be remembered as a devoted priest, inspiring educator, and a gentle soul whose light will never fade.
