Walter Parazaider, one of the founding members of legendary rock band Chicago, died at 2:10 a.m. Wednesday at the age of 81, according to his wife.
His wife, JacLynn, confirmed his death to TMZ, telling the outlet that she was at his side in hospice care during his final moments. Parazaider revealed he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2021, and his wife said he ultimately passed away after his battle with the condition.
“He had put up a good fight with Alzheimer’s and unfortunately it ended tonight,” she said.
“We are going to miss him for sure … We were married for 59 years and we had 59 wonderful years.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 08: (L-R) Inductees James Pankow, Walter Parazaider, Lee Loughnane and Robert Lamm of Chicago pose on stage in the press room at the 31st Annual Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Barclays Center on April 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
Parazaider cofounded the rock group The Big Thing in 1967, eventually rebranding the group under the name Chicago Transit Authority, which was ultimately shortened to Chicago in 1969, according to TMZ.
He lent his talent as a musician, serving in the band’s brass and woodwind section with Lee Loughnane and James Pankow. Parazaider actively performed with the band until his retirement in 2016, pumping out hits including “25 or 6 to 4,” “Saturday in the Park,” and “If You Leave Me Now.”
(MANDATORY CREDIT Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images) Chicago live at Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, June 18, 1971. (Photo by Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images)
Parazaider left an indelible mark on the band and was honored with an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of Chicago’s celebrated class in 2016. A member of the group since its inception, he toured with the group for approximately five decades. Parazaider performed his signature flute solo on “Color My World,” and his instrumental versatility included a breathtaking saxophone performance for “Just You ‘n’ Me,” according to Deadline. (RELATED: ‘Dallas’ Star William Smithers Dead At 98)
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 23: Walter Parazaider of Chicago onstage at Olympic Park on February 23, 2010 in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
He leaves behind JacLynn and their daughters, Laura and Felicia, according to TMZ. A memorial service is reportedly set to take place in the future.