Berlin Schools Music Legend Dies at 71

I remember when my older brother Bill was in the Berlin high School Marching Band like it was yesterday.

One of the coolest things he got to do was march over the Route 9 Bridge from Berlin to Willow Brook Park with the band when the football team played Pulaski High School.

I remember how they closed the road off so the band could march there and thought it was so amazing.

Leading that band over the bridge in full uniform was Paul J. Karam. He was proud of his band and the music that it played. It was all about the music with him. He wasn't a fan of formations or fancy tricks, he wanted his bands to stand and play their butts off...and that's what they did. They were a huge band and they formed a wall of sound and it was amazing.

Paul Karam lost hs battle with leukemia and passed away at the age of 71.

His obituary, courtesy of legacy.com, appears below. Please share your memories of Paul Karam in the comments section.

Paul John Karam, 71, of Essex, formerly of Kensington, peacefully passed away, Monday, (October 3, 2011) surrounded by his loving family following a courageous battle with leukemia. Born in New Britain, CT he was the son of the late John and Nanajan (Kanish) Karam. He graduated from New Britain High School and went on to obtain his Bachelor of Music degree at Boston University, later earning advanced degrees at CCSC and UCONN. A dedicated music educator for more than 35 years, he began his career in Poughkeepsie, NY but soon relocated back to CT where he worked in the Berlin Public Schools, the majority of his career as the Director of Music for the district. He touched the lives of countless students many of whom went on to pursue careers as musicians and music educators. His love of music was second only to his love and dedication to his family. Along with his high school sweetheart and wife of 49 years, Mary (Flood) of Essex, he is survived by his four children, Cori Humes and her husband Brian of Kensington, Christopher Karam and his wife Alison of Killingworth, Heather Price and her husband Kevin of East Haddam, and Patricia Wyskiewicz and her husband James of New Britain. His pride and radiant joy were his eight grandchildren: Kelly and Steven Humes; Paul Karam; Sarah and Christopher Price; Tristan, Landon, and Aiden Wyskiewicz. He also leaves his brother, Albert and wife Gleora of Westbrook, many nieces and nephews, and was predeceased by his sister, Rose Karam.
Funeral Services are Saturday, October 8th, 11 a.m. at Deep River Congregational Church, 1 Church Street, Deep River, CT 06417. Family and friends may call on Friday 4-7 pm at the Robinson, Wright, and Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main Street in Centerbrook. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Paul J. and Mary P. Karam Music Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, 74 Vine Street, New Britain, CT 06052; the Deep River Congregational Church PO Box 246, Deep River, CT 06417; or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 1311 Mamaroneck Ave., Suite 310, White Plains, NY 10605.1311 To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family please visit www.rwwfh.com