Douglas R Primus

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace; Where there is hatred, let me sow
love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is
despair, hope; where there is sadness, joy. Oh Divine Master, grant that I may
not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that
we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
The Measure of Douglas R. Primus, the Man
Douglas was the eldest child of Flora Wade Primus and Julius
Rosenwald Primus, who preceded him in death. He was born on November
9, 1951, in Cleveland, Ohio. A lifelong resident of Cleveland, Douglas was
baptized at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church RC. He was an altar
boy at St. Aloysius RC, and St Agnes RC. Until he became ill, he was an
active parishioner (30 years) at The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist
RC.
My brother attended Catholic school from grade school through
high school, graduating from Cathedral Latin High School and attending
St. Johns College, where he obtained a baccalaureate in History. Both our
parents were entrepreneurs. Our mother was a beautician and owner of
"The Pink Powder Puff Beauty Salon." After being honorably discharged
from the U.S. Army at the end of World War 11, my father went into business
for himself as a real estate broker and insurance agent. Father owned and
operated "Good Earth Real Estate and Life Insurance for 50 years. Douglas
worked part-time at the real estate office during high school and briefly
after graduating college.
From an early age, my brother was a devoted Catholic and often
accompanied our mother to Mass and other Church organization meetings.
He and my mother were members of The Franciscan Third Order OFM, a
lay order for Catholics. St. Francis of Assisi founded the Franciscan Third
Order OFM in 1221. My brother was an active member of the order for
over fifty years, serving as chapter president for the local Cleveland
Chapter. Douglas devoted his time, resources, and energy to ensuring the
success of the Cleveland Chapter of the Franciscan Third Order OFM. He
was a lifelong member of the NAACP.
Douglas was fond of repeating Father's mantra, "Be on time, and
always be true and honest when dealing with people." Douglas followed
our father's example, working as an insurance agent for New York Life, and
Prudential Life Insurance Company. He also taught American History at
Cuyahoga Community College. His favorite subjects besides the Scriptures
were English and History. He enjoyed reading, old Western movies, and
traveling.
When Douglas' health diminished, he moved into St. Augustine
Towers Assisted Living Residence, a faith-based adult assisted living
facility. Douglas loved living at St. Augustine Towers, where he made many
friends. His best friends were Marilyn Kuczynski and Kathy Melton. One of
his favorite pastimes was meeting every evening with Marilyn and Kathy to
recite the "Divine Mercy Chaplet." Another important person in his life was
his dear friend and mentor, Father Leonard Cencula, who shared
conversations about faith, religion, and history. Together met weekly to
share a "good meal." On Monday January 13, 2025, Douglas quietly left
this world as quietly as he had entered this world. Douglas was a beacon
of positivity with a smile that could light up any room and a spirit dedicated
to helping others achieve their goals. My brother was a source of
encouragement, kindness, and inspiration for anyone he met. Douglas left
us too soon. He leaves behind his sister Julia Primus, his nephew Jabari
J.T. Brown, Aunt Gwendolyn and Uncle William Smith, Cousins Renee
Wade, Barbara Smitherman, friends Irene Carol Morrison, Rev. Leonard
Cencula, Marilyn Kuczynski and Kathy Melton, family, friends and
especially his extended family at St. Augustine Towers. The memories he
created with us live on, and his legacy of love will forever remain in our
hearts.
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