Paul Linwood Parets

Paul Linwood Parets, beloved father, grandfather, teacher, mentor, friend, and longtime Director of Bands at Alexis I du Pont High School, passed away on Sunday, October 13, 2024. He was eighty-two years old. Paul was the only child of Jesus and Berneta Parets, and he grew up in Melvindale, Michigan where he attended Melvindale High School and played in the marching band. He attended Central Michigan University where he founded CMU’s Zeta Rho Chapter of the Sigma Chi fraternity, becoming known as “Number One” for his role in the chapter’s founding. He also played in CMU’s Marching Band under the direction of George Cavender, who became a lifelong mentor and friend. He graduated from CMU with a Bachelor of Music Education. After graduation, Paul took a job directing the high school band at Croswell-Lexington High School in Croswell, Michigan. He was a larger-than-life presence at Cros-Lex for ten years, composing the Pioneer fight song that is still used to this day, and transforming the band into the “Marching 100” that performed at a University of Michigan football game and commemorated the nation’s bicentennial in 1976. In 1976, Paul was hired to take over the band program at Alexis I. du Pont High School in Greenville, Delaware, and the rest, as they say, is history. While it is typical to describe a band director as “leading” the band program, Paul created a student-led marching band in which students elected their drum majors and band officers, selected the music to be performed, and decided which festivals and events to attend. Determined that no one who wanted to participate would be left out, he encouraged student athletes to be part of the band so that they could perform in concerts, parades, and festivals when their sport was not in season. The Tiger Marching Band’s ranks swelled to nearly three hundred members, and anyone who attended an A.I. home football game can remember watching the “Long Blue Line” as the band marched from the high school building down to the athletic field. During Paul’s tenure at A.I., the band became the first in Delaware to perform at the Rose Bowl. The Tiger Marching Band also performed at the presidential inaugurations of President Jimmy Carter, President George H. W. Bush, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland, the Fiesta Bowl, the New Year’s Day Parade in London, England and at the Vatican for His Holiness Pope Benedict. Paul’s teaching philosophy was summed up in the words he spoke to each iteration of the band: “We have one, and only one, ambition: to be the best. What else is there?” Paul earned numerous awards and recognitions throughout his career, including Delaware Teacher of the Year, Order of the First State, Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, and Who’s Who in America. Upon his retirement in 2012, Paul received a Tribute in the United States Congressional Record for his services to music education and education in general in Delaware. After retirement, Paul was a valued member of the Delaware City community, serving on the Board of Adjustments and as a member of the Lion’s Club. For his contributions to Delaware City, he received the Mayor’s Community Service Proclamation in 2019. As important as Paul’s public achievements were, he will truly live on through his relationships with former students, fraternity brothers, colleagues, family and friends. All who knew him have stories of his generosity, thoughtfulness, and his determination that each of his students become the best version of themselves that they could. Paul is survived by his daughter, Meredith Parets Daly and son-in-law Patrick Daly; his stepson, Timothy Eric Vander Graaff and daughter-in-law, Lisa Teeple Vander Graaff; and his grandchildren, Aaron and Abigail Vander Graaff. He is also survived by the many thousands of students, friends, and colleagues whose lives he touched and who will gather to celebrate his life. A visitation will be held Saturday, October 19, 2024, from 9:30-11 AM at Immanuel Church at 2414 Pennsylvania Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19806 followed by a celebration of Paul’s life at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Paul’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. For directions or to send an online condolence, visit www.stranofeeley.com.

Paul Linwood Parets

April 29, 1942 - October 13, 2024

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