Passings: Music Professor Emeritus Paul Verrette
August 19, 2009
Paul Verrette, associate professor emeritus of music, died suddenly Wednesday, Aug. 5, while vacationing in Maine with his family.
Verrette was a long-time professor of music, department chair, senate president, and dogged advocate for increased diversity at UNH. He also was a long-time friend to the Dimond Library and was largely responsible for placing the Library of Traditional Jazz in the special collections department. During the years, he worked with the library on the traditional jazz series, jazz programming, and in producing the Katrina CD.
When the UNH Faculty Concert Series opens its season on Tuesday, Sept. 15, the program will be dedicated to his memory.
Since he retired, Verrette had volunteered to help process collections and sort incoming gifts of jazz recordings. And since 1979, he wrote the program notes for more than 190 traditional jazz concerts.
A 1952 graduate of UNH, he later received his master's degree in musicology from Boston University.
Verrette is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mary Frances Verrette; three sons, Paul, Mark, and J. Christopher; daughter-in-law, Hallie Fishel-Verrette; and granddaughter Eleanor.
Donations in memory of Verrette can be made to the Paul Verrette Memorial Fund for Music. Checks should be made payable to The UNH Foundation, in memory of Paul Verrette, c/o Elliott Alumni Center, 9 Edgewood Road, Durham, NH 03824.
A tribute to Verrette by his friends in the music community ran in the Portsmouth Herald Aug. 7. Read at http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20090807-NEWS-908070384.
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