It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Paul Cormier of Holyoke, MA on Thursday, September 12, 2024, at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA, surrounded by his loving family.
Husband of Linda (Bigelow) Cormier for 28 years, Paul was born in Hartford, CT, to the late Roger and Aurore (Robidoux) Cormier. He graduated from Bulkeley High School in 1957 and then went on to earn his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Sixth Year degrees in Education from Central Connecticut State College. He was a teacher in the New Britain Public School system from 1967-2002.
Paul developed a lifelong passion for snare drumming after joining the Col. John Chester Fife & Drum Corps of Wethersfield in 1948. He went on to play in the St. Paul Seniors, The Connecticut Yanks, The Connecticut Blues, the Connecticut Patriots, and the Warehouse Point Ancient Fife & Drum Corps. He composed many well-known pieces of drum music and was a highly sought after drum instructor, having taught almost every corps within a hundred-mile radius of Hartford, CT. Paul won numerous individual competition titles including CT Senior Snare Drum Champion (1960, 1965, 1973, 1974, 1975). He was a beloved and highly regarded member of the fife and drum community, and over the years he taught and inspired countless young drummers who went on to pursue their own lifelong passions for music.
Paul will be remembered by his family and friends for his kindness, his sardonic sense of humor, his love of movies and music, and his passion for sports. He was a lifelong fan of the Boston Red Sox and the Boston Celtics, he was a skillful and fervent tennis player, and he was excellent at cards, especially cribbage, which he enjoyed playing with family during beach vacations on Long Island Sound. One of his favorite activities was going on long drives to explore new and unknown landscapes, discover historic towns, and visit some of his best-loved diners and coffee shops.
Besides his wife Linda, Paul leaves behind his son Ken Cormier, and his wife Emily; sisters Michelle Cormier and Lynette (Jim) Cormier; grandsons Theo and Charlie Cormier; and sisters- in-law Denise Cormier and Sandra Bigelow. Besides his parents, Paul was predeceased by his son Bobby Cormier and his brother Jerry Cormier.
Paul arranged for his body to be donated for medical education and research at the UMass Chan Medical School’s Anatomical Gift Program. More information on this valuable program can be found by calling 508-856-2460. The family would like to thank the staff at Baystate Medical Center for the caring, kindness, and comfort they provided throughout Paul’s final days.
Originally posted at: https://www.courant.com/obituaries/paul-cormier/