After an industrious eighteen-year career in the Athletics Department as the Equipment Manager and Supervisor, Mr. Jim Paradise passed away in July after contracting an unexpected disease. In addition to his involvement at Choate, Mr. Paradise was dedicated to his family and had also coached local football leagues in the nearby town of East Haven and several minor league teams in Connecticut.
During his time at Choate, Mr. Paradise contributed to the well-being and training of all athletes on campus. Mr. Ned Gallagher, Head of the Athletic Department, noted, “[Paradise] revolutionized our equipment room operation when he arrived at the school, modernizing inventory and purchasing uniforms and equipment for all of our teams,” in addition to supervising the Winter X. Ms. Paula Marcati and Ms. Rose Camire, who work in the Athletic Office and knew Mr. Paradise for forty and fourteen years, respectively, described him as a reliable professional because of his efficient work ethic. His poise was evident in his calm demeanor, productive work ethic, and personal mottos, such as “Don’t tell me how rough the water is, just steer the boat.” Besides his responsibilities of managing the athletic center, he also coached varsity and JV football, including last year’s team that won the New England Championships.
For many, Mr. Paradise’s personality made him the special man he was. According to Ms. Camire, he was not only a good worker and friend, but also just a good person who was welcoming to all. She added that “when meeting him, he made you feel as if you had known him forever. If he was your friend, you were his friend.” Ms. Marcati also noted his graciousness, saying, “He was my best friend: for forty years we were inseparable. He was the best friend anyone could ask for. He stood by me through thick and thin. He was there for everybody, just an all-around good guy.” Ms. Camire and Ms. Marcati concluded that even though Jim Paradise did so much for everyone else, he was the type of person who never asked for favors in return.
The dedication of Mr. Paradise to the Choate community also set him apart from everyone else. He contributed to the school by not only doing his job well, but also interacting and connecting with each person that came to the Winter X. Mr. Gallagher added that while Mr. Paradise was working “at the equipment room window, fitting athletes with proper helmets, or teaching the game of football to newcomers, his warm, generous nature and his enthusiasm for Choate were always evident.” It was clear that Jim Paradise loved the entire Choate community — the students, faculty, and staff. Despite his knee problems, “he was there for everybody, and then some,” explained Ms. Marcati.
For instance, a few years ago, Choate had an incident in which an alumnus was returning to campus and the admissions office wanted to give him a leather football jacket, except this jacket didn’t even exist yet. Not only that, but the alum was arriving within two days. Nevertheless, after making several phone calls, Mr. Paradise had the jacket shipped overnight and brought to campus a day before the alum’s arrival. Ms. Camire noted his commitment, saying “he was the kind of guy that if you walked in and said ‘Mr. Paradise, I need something,’ and if it was a legitimate thing you needed, he had it. He always made an effort, and a hundred times out of a hundred, he made it work.” Mr. Paradise’s commitment to the school was recognized when he received the Booker Kilgore Equipment Manger of the Year award in 2009 for his efforts and achievements within his work and his community. His dedication also allowed him to organize a conference for athletic managers amongst Choate’s fellow preparatory schools in 2013.
All within the Choate community — students, faculty, staff, and alumni — will miss Mr. Paradise dearly. The mark he made on Choate will forever remain with us in our memories of the past and our current and future endeavors.
