The originating member of the band with hits like If You Leave Me Now and Hard to Say I’m Sorry died after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease
Walter Parazaider, a co-founding member of the rock band Chicago, has died at the age of 81 following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
His daughter confirmed the news in a Facebook post on Wednesday morning.
“My father, my hero, is gone. He went peacefully about 20 minutes ago,” she wrote. “There’s no more pain. No more struggle … This was the worst six years. The hardest season of my life. And I’m so grateful that my dad is not suffering anymore. I love you poppy, my Pal.”
Parazaider was a co-founder of the group best known for 1970s and 80s soft rock classics like If You Leave Me Now and Hard to Say I’m Sorry. He played reed instruments and saxophone with the band from its inception in the late 60s to his retirement in 2018.
