NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 08: Walter Parazaider of Chicago performs 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 Theo Wargo/Getty Images)Getty ImagesWalter Parazaider, a saxophonist and founding member of the legendary rock/jazz fusion band Chicago, has died.Parazaider, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s six years ago, died from the disease early Wednesday, his wife JacLynn told TMZ. He was 81."He had put up a good fight with Alzheimer's and unfortunately it ended tonight. We are going to miss him for sure ... We were married for 59 years and we had 59 wonderful years."ForbesAnne Schedeen, ‘ALF’ Actress Who Played Mom In Sitcom, Dies At 77By Tim LammersParazaider was among the band members who formed Chicago — first known as the Chicago Transit Authority — along with keyboardist/vocalist Robert Lamm, trombonist James Pankow, bassist/vocalist Peter Cetera, drummer Danny Seraphine, trumpet player Lee Loughnane and guitarist/vocalist Terry Kath in 1967. Kath died tragically in 1978 at age 31.Pankow, Loughnane and Parazaider’s brass and woodwind trio is featured on several of Chicago’s biggest hits, including “Questions 67 and 68,” “25 or 6 to 4,” “Saturday in the Park,” “Does Anybody Really Know What Time it Is?,” “Just You ‘n’ Me,” “Feeling Stronger Every Day” and “Call on Me.”In addition, the brass/woodwind section is featured on the Chicago hits "Dialogue (Part I & II)," “Beginnings,” “(I’ve Been) Searching So Long,” “Old Days," “You’re the Inspiration,” “Will You Still Love Me?” and “What Kind of Man Would I Be?” MORE FOR YOUForbesOliver Tree, ‘Life Goes On’ And ‘Miss You’ Singer, Dies At 32By Tim LammersParazaider was with the band when Chicago was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016. He retired from touring with Chicago in 2017. Walter Parazaider Played The Memorable Flute Solo On ‘Colour My World’In addition to saxophone, Walter Parazaider also played the clarinet and flute, the latter of which was featured on the band’s classic hit ballad, “Colour My World,” in 1970.Parazaider recalled how "Colour My World" songwriter James Pankow proposed the idea of the flute solo in a tribute to founding Chicago members on the group’s website. (L-R) American musicians Peter Cetera, James Pankow, Lee Loughnane, Terry Kath (1946 - 1978), Walter Parazaider (1945-2026), Danny Seraphine and Robert Lamm, of the American rock band Chicago, pose for a group portrait in London, England, August 26, 1970. (Photo by TPLP/Getty Images)Getty Images“Jimmy said, ‘I’ve got this idea for this movement, this ballet, could you bring your flute and see what you could hash out here?’ So I did and Jimmy started, ‘doo doo doo doo doo doo doo, doo doo doo doo doo,’" Parazaider recalled. "We worked together for a while and put something together. And he looked at me quizically and said, ‘Is this good?’ And me being young and stupid and positive said, ‘It’ll make me famous.’”Parazaider is survived by his wife, JacLynn, and the couple’s daughters Laura and Felicia.ForbesJames Barker, ‘Love Island USA’ Executive Producer, Dies At 40By Tim Lammers