Worcester – Paul L. Parenteau, 84, of Worcester, died on Monday, March 21st in Umass Memorial Medical Center – Memorial Campus after an illness.
Mr. Parenteau’s wife of 61 years Lorraine M. (Crean) Parenteau died in 2010. He is survived by two sons Mark P. Parenteau of Worcester and Barry L. Parenteau and his wife Dale of Millbury; two brothers Earl Parenteau and his wife Genny of Grafton and William Parenteau and his wife Barbara of Worcester; four grandchildren Sean, Laine, Kaley and Malen and many nephews and nieces.
Paul was born in Worcester son of the late Joseph and Mary (Daniels) Parenteau and is a graduate of Saint Peter’s High School where he was a starting tackle for 3 years on the football team and played in the 1944 Thanksgiving Day game between Saint Peter’s and Saint John’s. He served in the United States Navy during World War II as a deep sea Hard Hat Navy Diver in the Pacific Theater and Japan aboard the USS Columbus.
Paul was a member of Our Lady of the Angels Church and the United States Swimming Association.
Mr. Parenteau was the swimming coach for the College of the Holy Cross for 31 years from 1965 to 1996 where he coached thousands of swimmers over the years. Paul had a lifelong love for swimming, starting out as a competitor for the Ionic Avenue Boys Club with Coach Carnie Noel and Art Crowley. He was the swim coach for the Vera Green Swim Club in 1953 and was also involved with the Worcester County Swim League, the Bay State Games, The Whitinsville Community Swimmers, the Worcester Aqua Maids and Men as well as being a life guard at Tatassit Beach, Coes Pond and Bell Pond. In 1946 while Paul was in the U.S. Navy in China & Japan he won the 100 Yard Freestyle at the Shanghai Foreign YMCA as a representative of the Navy.
Paul played semi-pro football in 1946 and 1947 for the Worcester Hurricanes and worked as a football referee for 30 years with the Central Massachusetts Conference of Football Officials.
He worked as a head linesman for Massachusetts Electric Company for 39 years retiring in 1989.
The funeral will be held on Saturday, March 26th, from the Alfred Roy & Sons Funeral Home 12 Hammond St. with a Mass at 10 AM in Our Lady of the Angels Church 1222 Main St. Burial will be at a later date in Saint John’s Cemetery. Calling hours are on Friday, March 25th, from 4 to 8 PM in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Worcester Boys & Girls Club 65 Tainter Street Worcester, MA 01610.
To send a message to the family or for directions please visit www.Royfuneral.com