Douglas R Primus

Douglas Primus Obituary 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. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Douglas R Primus, please visit our floral store. Read More

Douglas R Primus

November 9, 1951 - January 13, 2025