Barry Parenteau, who coached the swimming and diving teams at the College of the Holy Cross for more than four decades, passed away earlier this week.

Parenteau served as a coach for the Crusaders' swimming and diving teams for 43 years from 1975-2018, and was inducted into the Varsity Club Hall of Fame in 2019. He was the head coach of the women's team since the program's inception in 1975 and the men's team since the retirement of his father, Paul, in 1996. Parenteau's 241 combined victories with the men's and women's swimming and diving programs are ranked eighth among all coaches in Holy Cross history. 

Parenteau saw tremendous success as a head coach with numerous student-athletes named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll, two swimmers named Patriot League Swimmer of the Meet (Jill Addesa and Coleen Lynch), two divers named Diver of the Meet (Kim Rinaldi and Casey Sherman) and two student-athletes named Scholar-Athlete of the Year (Addesa and Lynch). 

He was named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Coach of the Year in women's swimming and diving three times, following the 1984-1985, 1987-1988 and 1989-1990 campaigns. Over the course of his career, he coached eight student-athletes who were inducted into the Varsity Club Hall of Fame, including Holy Cross' first-ever female All-American (Callie Taffe, 1981).

Parenteau swam collegiately at Bridgewater State College, where he held school records in the 50-, 100- and 200-yard freestyle events. He earned an American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) Level III certification and was certified in lifeguard training, standard first aid and adult CPR. Additionally, he was a 38-year volunteer with the American Red Cross. 

Friends and family are invited to gather on Friday, January 28, 2022 from 5 to 7 PM in the Alfred Roy & Sons Funeral Home, 12 Hammond St., Worcester to celebrate and honor his life.  Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Parenteau may be made to Kaley Dale Parenteau Memorial scholarship thru Millbury Dollars for Scholars, P.O. Box 361, Millbury, MA 01527.

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