Allentown Lions Club tap beloved AHS Music Director, Mr. Fish, for Parade Grand Marshal of the Allentown Lions Club Memorial Day Parade.

Mr. Theodore Fish, 95 of Yardville, NJ, the original “Music Man” of the Allentown High School Band and music program has been named 2025 Memorial Day Grand Marshal by the Allentown Lions Club Memorial Day Parade Committee.

“The decision of who will be named Grand Marshal of the Parade is always a difficult task,” Lions Parade Chair Rob Schmitt said. “The bar is set pretty high. We look for military service, community service, a commitment to give back and other factors. Mr. Ted Fish is a bit of a legend for generations of Allentown Redbirds, a former Marine, and a man who spent his life in service to his students.”

 A graduate of Reading High, Reading PA in 1947, he enlisted in the Marines and became a staff sergeant serving during the Korean War.

Mr. Fish married the love of his life, Kathryn Bickta, whom he met on a blind date. They have 3 children, Denise Fair, Jeff Fish and Craig Fish; three grandchildren, Jenna Fair, Christopher Fair and McKenzie Fish; and a great-grandbaby on the way.

Following his service in the Marines, Mr. Fish attended Lebanon Valley College on the G.I. Bill,and graduated in the Class of 1956 with a Bachelor’s Degree. This led him to becoming a music teacher at Allentown High where he started the music program in a small building with just 8 students. From those early seeds, he made it his life’s work to grow the program which eventually won regional, state, and even national awards and recognition. He dedicated 30 years of teaching as the band director and 28 years as a substitute teacher. He was honored for his contribution to Allentown High School and was inducted to the Allentown High School Hall of Fame.

Allentown Lions Club President Dan Mottram called Mr. Fish “an inspiration and the very embodiment of selfless service to others. The Lions Club motto is ‘We Serve.’ Our mission is to serve others both here in our local community and around the globe. Every year on Memorial Day, we remember those who gave the last full measure of devotion in service to our nation. We Lions task our Parade Committee to recognize a person from our community that has spent a significant part of their lives in service to others. Mr. Ted Fish spent his life and career doing just that and, so, is a great choice for 2025 Parade Grand Marshal.”

Mr. Fish expressed excitement at the unexpected honor. “It is an honor to be named this year’s Memorial Day Parade Grand Marshal,”Fish said. “I appreciate the recognition for my contribution both as a Marine Corps Veteran and as a teacher of so many generations of young people. I love Allentown, our community, and am so grateful for the wonderful memories working with my students.”