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Paul Parisi Obituary
Paul Parisi, 84, of East Windsor, NJ, formerly of Waldwick, died April 18, 2017.
Born in Fairview, NJ, Paul graduated Cliffside Park High School in 1950. While studying at NYU and Jersey City State College he worked as a pharmacist's apprentice for Gemignani Pharmacy. In 1953, he was called to serve in the U.S. military as an Army medic and chaplain's assistant for two years in Korea. After returning from the war he took advantage of the G.I. Bill and continued to study music and voice at Manhattan School of Music, graduating with a Bachelor and Master's degree in 1959.
In 1958 he married his college sweetheart, June Muller, and they resided in Waldwick, NJ, for 41 years, raising three daughters. For many years they enjoyed singing in several musical shows and choirs with Paul performing as the lead tenor in Pajama Game, The Mikado and Amahl and the Night Visitors with The Choral Society of Cliffside Park. They were also active in church choirs at Trinity Lutheran Church, Fairview and later at Calvary Lutheran, Allendale as well as conducting for The NJ Chorale in 1968 and the All County High School Chorus in 1976.
From 1968-1988 Paul was the choral conductor at Indian Hills High School, Oakland, NJ, teaching young singers choral masterworks and leading them through memorable spring and winter concerts. Many of his students were inspired to follow careers in music and to enjoy their love of singing throughout their lives. If you were in any of his choirs you're sure to still know every note of the Hallelujah Chorus or Battle Hymn of the Republic!
He was introduced to classical music and opera at an early age by his father and was a season ticket holder to the Metropolitan Opera and NJ Symphony for many years. Every Saturday afternoon would find him tuned into Met Opera Live, with Puccini's Turandot being his favorite. He also enjoyed listening to old radio shows and kept a large collection of reel to reel programs. Conquering any crossword puzzle and cooking were his other passions and in true Italian fashion "What's for dinner?" was a typical question right after breakfast.
Paul was the son of the late Ignazio and Antonina Parisi, loving husband to the late June Parisi and brother to the late Salvatore and Joseph Parisi. He is survived by daughters and sons in law, Barbara and Asunción Sanchez, Laura and Brian O'Leary and daughter and fiancé Sandra Parisi and Martin Landau; four cherished grandchildren Evan, Grace, Lucas and Colin. He will be lovingly remembered by sisters and brothers in law, Arlene and Allan Macke, Diane and Don Kearney and Antoinette Parisi, many nieces and nephews, and family in Sicily, Italy.
Burial will take place privately at Valleau Cemetery, Ridgewood, NJ. A memorial celebration of his life and music will take place Sunday, July 2, 2017 at 2 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 79 One Mile Rd Ext., East Windsor, NJ.
Memorial donations can be made in Paul's name to Arthritis Foundation, www.kidsgetarthritistoo.org and click on the orange donate button.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Paul Parisi
R
October 9, 2022
Mr. Parisi was our energetic Valley School music teacher, leading us in spirituals and having us draw while listening to Schubert's "Unfinished Symphony". He took us to the Old Met for "La Boheme". It was my first live performance despite having a Wuerzberg Opera mezzo grandmother who listened to "Live from the Met". He movec to IHHS our senior year, graduating us twice, having taught us "Together" for eighth grade graduation. Years later in the midst of my very soggy Officer's basic training, an ad-hoc group gathered outside the lunch mess tent and discovered we all knew Randal Thompson's "Battle Hymn" arrangement, which we performed on-the-spot in the middle of wide grazing fields for our training battalion. Further on, I used Mr. Parisi's training as back-up singer for my 20-year gig as a sideman. Thank you Mr. Parisi. To his family: may his memory be for a blessing.
Dirk VanderVoort
April 12, 2020
Mr. Parisi was a legend in his time, a superb choir director who instilled his love of music in his students at Indian Hills High and All Bergen County Choir. He was certainly one of my favorite teachers of The Class of 1977. I took choir all four years there. Mr. Parisi had a keen sense of humor and knew how to relate to us students. I had a special connection to Mr. Parasi with our admiration of music sang by The Tabernacle Choir. When budget cuts came, Mr. Parisi took on the entire music program at IHHS including the band. He always had a special place in his heart for God and music. God be with you 'till we meet again.
Sandra P
June 30, 2017
For all the students that my father shared his passion of music and expanding your knowledge together...a picture to remember him by...He is an end of an era but through you, the song can live on.
Lynn Feliziani
June 28, 2017
Mr Parisi, Thank-you for opening up the world of Music to me. It was an honor having you as a music teacher in grade school and a pleasure seeing you at Indian Hills. You were the best.
Margaret Person Blickenderfer
June 28, 2017
Thank you, Mr. Parisi for being such a wonderful teacher. God bless you and your family. You will be greatly missed.
Maureen Ficken
May 2, 2017
Danny and I were both in Mr Paris's class in jr and sr years. We will never forget him and his kindness to all. Our prayers are with his family.
Danny Ficken and Maureen O'Neill Ficken. Class of 70.
LouAnn Lawson, Caron
May 2, 2017
My heart goes out to his family and friends. His music room was a place to make beautiful music and grow close relationships. I was lucky enough to have him as a teacher in grammar school, thru high school. He gave me strength and confidence. IHHS class of 1973. He was a special person.
Stephanie Cron
May 1, 2017
Love and prayers
Susan Panas Clark
May 1, 2017
Mr. Parisi instilled in me a love of choral music that continues to this day. I still praise his innovative scheduling that expanded access to the arts by allowing students to participate in lunch chorus. What a wonderful influence on young minds. Well done good and faithful servant!
Karin Walpole
May 1, 2017
Mr Parisi was my choir director at Indian Hills. He was one of my favorite teachers. His room was always a safe zone for me during a very turbulent time in my life. I've always remembered him, and always will.
And, yes, I can still sing the Alto parts of Battle Hymn and Hallelujiah.
Karin Walpole, class of 1990
Sharon Panas-Mascaro, IHHS '84
May 1, 2017
Rest in Peace, Mr. Parisi.
How lovely is thy dwelling place, now that you are there to direct the heavenly choir. I will always fondly remember my time in the IHHS chorus with you at the helm. You made us memorize the music, for which I will be eternally grateful as, after many years of singing, those are the pieces that I remember the best.
John Cosgrove
May 1, 2017
Condolences to the Parisi family. Paul was a great teacher and director as well as a awesome friend to many of his students. I graduated 1983 and was not really a stand out singer in any way. He made it fun for everyone. Today I sing in a group ranked 6th in the world and will be competing in Las Vegas in July. I will be thinking of him and all the lives he touched thru his love of music. Thank you Paul. You were always a mensch.
Beth Ryan
May 1, 2017
Mr Parisi not only gave us a firm musical foundation, but he sent us off much better prepared for life. I have cherished those four years of chorus and concert choir and have thought of Mr Parisi often over the years. To this day I still listen to the great works he taught us. It is comforting to know he lived a good long life. Those choirs of angels now have their director. Rest in Peace, Mr. P.
Paul Parisi
May 1, 2017
My Uncle Paul was such a Godly man. Prayers for my cousins Barbara, Laura, Sandra, grandkids and all who loved him.
Paul
Kirsten Crilly DellaRocco
May 1, 2017
Rest peacefully Mr. Parisi. You inspired so many. Almost every Crilly that attended IHHS (9 of them) participated in choir. We still single the Hallelujah Chorus when we get together.
God Bless.
Kirsten Crilly DellaRocco
IHHS class of 1985
Jane McKeon
May 1, 2017
I was a student at Indian Hills High School and attended Mr. Parisi's chorus class. Under his guidance, I went on to several singing jobs after High School, both in theater productions and with several bands. His patience and dedication were impeccable, and it was always a pleasure to rehearse and perform under his direction. One of my favorite teachers, he will always hold a special place in my heart. Our condolences to his family. Sincerely, Jane Jenner-McKeon Class of 1972
Marion Carter (Picardo)
April 30, 2017
I Marion Picardo was a student in 1972-74. So sorry to hear the news. My condolences go out to you and your family. He will be greatly missed
Debbie Sarcone
April 30, 2017
My memories of being part of the IHHS Choir are always happy ones. Mr. Parisi made it always fun but he was serious about us learning. You were a great influence in my continuing love for music, Mr Parisi. May you continue singing!
Mark Sedita
April 30, 2017
Thank you for having me on your chorus in 1977 and 1978. You taught me so much about music. Rest in Peace Mr. Parisi. Your legacy with so many former students lives in.
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