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Melvin Primas Obituary
AGE: 62 • Formerly of Camden
Melvin Randolph Primas Jr., 62, of Fort Mill, SC formerly of Camden, NJ died March 1, 2012 at The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Hospital. He was born on August 31, 1949, in Camden, NJ, the son of the late Yvonne and Melvin R. Primas Sr.
He is survived by his wife Bonita, sons, Melvin R. Primas III and Wilson Craig Primas; mother-in-law Gertrude Wilson; sisters Sandra Davis and Antoinette Primas; sisters-in-law Diane Wilson and Susanne Wilson Flagg; brothers-in-law Wyndle and Richard Wilson, Muhammad Maloy and Brian Flagg; nephews, Troy Davis, Thomas Brown and Najee Flagg; nieces, Tamara Davis, Lakeisha Primas-Johnson, Sharita Mayes, Alexis Wilson, Nikki and Dana McNair. Also survived by aunts, Gladys Pritchett, Elaine Primas, Joanne Primas and Gertrude Collins; uncle, John Pritchett and a host of great nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Friends and family will be able to pay their respects at Carl Miller Funeral Home in Camden on Thursday, March 8, 2012 beginning at 3 pm.
Home going services will be held on Friday, March 9, 2012 at St. John Baptist Church, 30th and Mitchell Street, Camden, NJ 08105. Viewing from 9am to 11am, funeral immediately following the viewing. Interment, Harleigh Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to either of The Boys and Girls Clubs listed: Marjorie & Lewis Katz East Camden Clubhouse Westfield Ave.; Camden NJ, 08105 Boys & Girls Club of Camden County Park Blvd; Camden NJ, 08103 Funeral Services are being conducted by Carl Miller Funeral Home.
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Memories and Condolences
for Melvin Primas
Glenna Huls
March 25, 2012
Bonnie, So sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts are with you. Glenna Huls, Camden County College.
March 12, 2012
My love and regards to Bonnie
Rosemary R. Jackson, your childhood friend. Prayers, peace and blessings to you and yours.
Anthony Clark
March 9, 2012
My prayers are with you during this very difficult time. Randy was a special friend as a fellow Mayor,someone who was always ready to help in each of the positions he held. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Tony Clark
Mayor Emeritis
Township of Waterford
Altha Anderson
March 9, 2012
To the Primas family, May God continue to comfort you at this difficult time. Through him you will have strength. With deepest sympathy. The Anderson family
March 9, 2012
Rest in peace, Randy. You were a good guy.
Marion Batts-Mitchell
March 8, 2012
To the Primas family,
Love and Hugs to all...Words cannot express the sadness felt..Will keep you in prayer. His untarnished legacy exemplifies his devotion to the citizens of the Great State of New Jersey..
"Job Well Done, Thy Faithful Servant"
Frances and Grace Webster
March 8, 2012
To the Primas Family
Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to all of you. Randy was a gentlemen,good friend, and great humanitarian. He will fondly remembered and greatly missed! We will keep you in our prayers and may you find strength and comfort in the Lord. God Bless You!
Stephen J. Schley
Stephen J. Schley
March 7, 2012
May God comfort and give the Primas family strength during this period of bereavement. Although, I had left Camden by the time Randy became its Mayor, I recall my sisters remarking how pleased they were with his leadership of the City. God Bless! The Schley Family.
March 7, 2012
My God comfort you in your time of sorrow. Randy will be remembered for the joy he brought to everyone he came in contact with.
Lena McDowell-Morton
March 6, 2012
To The Primas Family,
My mother taught Mr Primas and speaks highly of him and his classmates. My prayer goes out to you all.
J Knox Daughter of Mrs. Jessie (Stewart)Knox
Welton (Squeaky) James
March 6, 2012
To Bonnie & Primas Family
In the late sixties we formed a fraternity of our own with Gary Brown, Randy, Marty Cook and myself as the Officers. From that group we got one of the youngest Federal Judges in the country, Curtis Joyner and the first Black mayor of Camden NJ, Randy. I worked in the Hotel/Casino business and never missed the chance to send Randy a hello from whoever was Governor at the time. They got a kick out of the fact that I thought Randy was that important. Randy never forgot his friends or his city and his friends never stopped being proud of his accomplishments and the man he became. May God keep you close during this time. While many think of Hall of Fame individuals from Camden, its not uncommon to think of athletes. Randy belongs in the top tier of that list.
John and Portia (Mathis) Banks
March 6, 2012
Our condolences to the Primas family. We have you in our hearts.God Bless and Keep You Always.
Robinson Tatem Family
March 6, 2012
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
March 6, 2012
MY CONDOLENCES AND HEARTFELT SYMPATHY TO TONI,SANDY AND THE ENTIRE PRIMAS FAMILY. ALTHOUGH NO WORDS CAN REALLY HELP TO EASE THE LOSS YOU BEAR, JUST KNOW THAT YOU ARE VERY CLOSE IN EVERY THOUGHT AND PRAYER. MAY GOD BLESS DONNA NELSON SICKLERVILLE N.J.
Irene Curtis
March 6, 2012
To The Primas Family, My condolence to you and the family, God bless you all.
Trudy Pegues
March 6, 2012
May God Bless and keep you strong.
March 6, 2012
Family of Randy, I was saddened to hear of his passing. I regret that I have never met any of you. Our families grew up together in Camden. Our Mothers and Fathers also grew up together and lived in Camden. My sister Karen, still lives in East Camden and has kept me abreast over the years. I, LaVerne now live in Myrtle Beach and Wayne lives in San Antonio. Keeping you in prayer that God will bless you with healing for this loss. LaVerne (Brown) Jones, Wayne Brown & Karen (Brown) Pettiford.
Barbara Thomas-Hunt
March 6, 2012
To Bonita and Family: Sorrow for your lost. Melvin was a good friend, and a good solider for the Lord. He will truly be missed by the peoples in Camden NJ, Melvin was a good Mayor for Camden back in the Days. Family look up to the Lord, Melvin will be with you in Spirit and never be forgotten. We will meet him again at the Pearly Gates of Heaven. The chain has been broken. Bonita was a good wife and College Professor. My Family will keep you in pray. Barbara Thomas- Huntand Family
City Council Women-At-Large Deborah Person-Polk
March 6, 2012
Mrs. Bonita Primas and Family,
May God Bless and keep you strong during this difficult time. I would just like to say thank you, for sharing your wonderful husband with the residents of the City of Camden. He hired so many residents and gave them so many opportunities that changed their lives. I am one of them. You and your sons sacrificed time you could have been with him by allowing him to help the least among us. His service to this community will never be forgotten it will remain forever in the heart of the people he served. Thank you, May God keep his arms of protection around you forever. “And I Pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever.” John 4:16. He “will never leave you comfortless” John 14:18
Calvin Wells Sr.
March 6, 2012
Dear Bonita and Family, my heart goes out to you.Randy was my GOOD friend, my buddy, my brother.He will be surley missed by me and my family.But he will be with us in spirit always..Blessed
are the pure in heart,for they shall see God..Matthew 5:8
And this is the promise that He has promised us-eternal life..1John2:25
March 5, 2012
Dear Bonita and Family, I am saddened to know of my classmate's passing. I was proud of him and told him many times when he became Mayor. He was a kind person.
Trust the Lord to carry you through. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He will be with you always. Psalm 121
R.Naomi (Polk) Thomas
March 5, 2012
To Bonita and Family, We were saddened to hear of the passing of Randy. Our hearts go out to you. May it comfort you to know that God will bring peace and comfort , and in time will ease the pain that you feel. Many blessings to you. Sincerely, Carolyn and Dave Wharton
Shelley Brown
March 5, 2012
God Bless, May the family find peace in all the great things RANDY did for the City of Camden and all the people that knew him. He was so well liked ( Rest in peace Randy)
Silena Peterson
March 5, 2012
To the Primas family, Mr. Primas was an outstanding person and will truely be missed. The Peterson family would like to extend our deepest condolences in the lose of your love one. Please know that we will keep your family in prayers. Be Blessed..... Rudolph, Silena, and Pamela Peterson
March 5, 2012
To the Primas Family:
My sincere condolences goes out to each and everyone of you all. I attended Rutgers with Randy. He was in law school andI was in undergraduate school. Also we worked on several projects in the city of Camden when he was major. Heaven has need of him now. God bless yo all. M.Smith - Blackwwod
Lew Paynter
March 5, 2012
To Sandy, Toni and the entire Primas family. Our most heartfelt sympathy is extended to each of you. When God stretched down his loving hand to pick Randy up and take him home, He said to Randy:"You have fought a good fight....you kept the faith.....you finished the race. Well done my Good and Faithful servent." May God continue to hold you in the palm of his loving hand during this difficult time.
To God be the Glory!!!
Lew & Bonnie Paynter
Evangelist BJ Torres
March 5, 2012
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
To God Be The Glory for the great things He has done through Melvin "Randy" Primas.
I am ever grateful to God for how He chooses seomtimes what others would think are the unlikely to be used in such a large magnitude and generous way just to let it be knowned of who's really in control. Melvin "Randy" Primas as Mayor of Camden showed it over and over again and gave hope to those who thought the city could never rebound.
My prayers are with you Bonita & sons, His Sisters, Toni & Sandy, his family the Primas' all of which are so close and dear to my heart. Continue holding on to God's unchanging hand.
Be blessed and be encouraged.
Evangelist BJ Torres
Linda DeLape RN
March 5, 2012
Dear Family,
Randy was the Mayor and I was a visiting nurse.We were both in service to the city close to our hearts.Many times I asked for help on behalf of my patients who were so poor and so sick.Randy always helped them .I never forgot.RIP Randy.
Bette Bell
March 5, 2012
To Bonnie and Sons,
I am so saddened. Randy was a gentle man of honor who cared so much about people. It was my pleasure to work with him for 11 years and it was a privilege. My prayers are with you.
Kirk Jones
March 5, 2012
To the Family and Friends of Mayor Melvin "Randy" Primas: I first met then city council president Primas when he was running for mayor in 1981 at the home of Henry Stevens in east Camden. Mayor Primas was comitted to making Camden a better place for everyone. His vigor and tenacity should inspire the young generation of Camden today. My sincere condolences to his wife Bonita, his sons and his entire family. Everyone in Camden will always be greatful for his sacrifice and service.
Kirk Jones
Miami, FL
March 5, 2012
March 5.
To the Primas Family.
I went to junior and senior high schools with Randy, and later worked under Randy during his years as Mayor.
The wisdom, quiet strength, kindness, and affability that he had when we were teenagers, coontinued as Randy's essence throughout his successful career and life.
In Yiddish, two terms describe Randy: He was a "Gutteh Neshomah" (a good soul) and a "Leibile Hertzen" (a sweet- hearted person).
Randy was always so giving, so wise, and so patient with everyone. Notwithstanding his great accomplishments, He always had the great friendly smile and warm embrace.
To Camden, he was like a local Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., Winston Churchill and a Guardian Angel, all in one.
We will all miss him. To me, he was in many ways the closest thing to a "Tzaddik" - Hebrew for a "Righteous Person."
To his Family, I am very sorry for our great loss.
Larry Rosoff.
March 5, 2012
To Bonnie, your sons and Stephanie and Kim. You are all in my prayers at your time of sorrow.
Kristine Kirby Reynolds - Camden
Bruce Carpenter
March 5, 2012
To the Primas Family,
We will miss Randy greatly. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you.
Peace, love and deepest sympathy.
Bruce, Karen and Bruce, Jr.
The Carpenter
March 5, 2012
Sandy & The Primas Family, You may not remember me but I grew up with Randy, Fang,Ricky Brown, Charlie Holmes and the whole group of guys from East Camden. I attended Davis & Wilson Schools. Even though we were different races we will always be brothers. I'm so sorry for your family at this time of loss. Randy was a great man and always will be a friend. - Bob Clark Shallotte, NC
Diana Gorko
March 5, 2012
To the Prmas Family,
I will always remember Randy fondly as a former member of the Commerce team in the early days. We loved to talk the old neighborhoods and growing up as kids in the inner city. He will be sadly missed. Diana Gorko
Carrie Matthews
March 5, 2012
To Bonita and family,
I'm sorry to hear about your loss. Randy and I grew up together so his loss is also heartfelt with me as well. I will continue to keep you and your family in prayer. Always, Carrie Perry
Philip Freeman
March 5, 2012
To the Primas family: Randy was a dear friend whom I had the pleasure of knowing personally and professionally for many years. He was very helpful to me offering his wise counsel and support as COO during my years as President of the Camden City Board of Education. He also assisted me as President of the Walt Whitman Arts Center in 2010 when he provided essential information from his days as Mayor and City Council President that enabled me to preserve the Walt Whitman Arts Center as an Arts institution in Camden during our dispute with Rutgers University. He was such a kind, affable, sincere, and honorable man who devoted his life to making Camden a better place to live and work throughout his extraordinary life. His legacy will remain a positive example for us to follow and will truly be remembered. May his spirit remain forever in the minds, hearts, and souls of his loved ones.
Sincerely,
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