Barry Parenteau, who coached Holy Cross’ swim and dive teams for over 40 years, died last week after a battle with cancer. The news was announced by Holy Cross. Parenteau was 70 years old.
“He cultivated an environment where you immediately felt like you were part of a family — his family,” said Coleen Lynch, a 1995 graduate and Holy Cross Athletic Hall of Fame member, after his retirement in 2018. “There have certainly been times where life got busy and you’re not as connected to campus, but whenever you stepped back onto the pool deck or ran into him at a Holy Cross function, you felt like you never left. He was the same exact guy who was there for you years earlier and always thrilled to reconnect and introduce you to the next generation of student-athletes he was proud to be guiding.”
Parenteau began his Holy Cross career in 1975, when he became head of the women’s team for its inaugural season. After his father, Paul Parenteau, retired from coaching the men’s team in 1996, he also became head coach of the men’s team. He was also the director of aquatics at the Hart Center and the Luth Aquatic Complex. Parenteau retired in 2018, after 43 years coaching Holy Cross teams.
According to the college, his combined 241 wins ranks him 8th among all Holy Cross coaches for the most wins.
Over his career, Parenteau coached eight students who were eventually inducted into the school’s Varsity Club Hall of Fame, including Callie Taffe, who was the college’s first female All-American. He was also named the Metro Atlantic Conference Coach of the Year in women’s swimming and diving during three separate seasons.
Parenteau cultivated a strong family culture at Holy Cross, and he and his wife would often get invited to team members’ weddings.
“To get invited to someone’s wedding is an honor,” Parenteau said when he retired. “When kids you coached have been out of school for eight years and want you and your wife to be at their wedding, that’s pretty special.”
Jeffrey Barlok became the head coach after Parenteau, and noted that Parenteau left the team “poised for greatness.”
“Coach Parenteau has taught me a lot about coaching and life these past two years, and I intend to carry on his philosophy of being thankful for every day and appreciating what we have,” Barlok said upon Parenteau’s retirement.
Parenteau had his own successful swimming career, competing at Bridgewater State College, where he broke school records in the 50, 100, and 200 freestyle, according to the Holy Cross news release. In addition to his work with Holy Cross, he volunteered for 38 years with the American Red Cross.
Barry was one of the finest men I ever met. He was an example of how to approach both swimming and life, not just for his student-athletes, but also for his fellow teachers, like me. Rest in peace, Coach.
Sending my sincerest condolences to the Parenteau family.
God Speed Barry, it was a pleasure, and honor, to be on deck with you, across the pool from you.
Our condolences to the Parenteau family. Barry will be missed by all in the college coaching fraternity.
A true gentleman and caring coach. Someone everyone who met him will miss. Always enjoyed his company.
RIP Barry and condolences to his family.
Barry put Holy Cross swimming on the map. In addition, he did a lot for high school swimming.
RIP my friend.
A true coach and a real gentleman. RIP Coach.