Richard Primo

Clouds will teach you the art of living in a few hours." -M.R.

Obituary

Richard Victor Primo, 80, died on August 31, 2026, after a few days of loving farewells with family and friends. He was holding the hand of Sherrill Primo, his wife of 56 years.

Richard was born in 1946 in Long Branch, NJ, to Josephine and Vincent Primo. He had two siblings, Carol and Danny, and is survived by close family members: his wife, Sherrill; nephew Anthony; daughters Kari and Sara; son-in-law Michael; and four grandchildren: Jordan, Shane, Logan, and Julian.

Family love was the centerpiece of Richard's life. His genuine regard for others and remarkable skill as a listener led to a successful 45-year career in clinical psychology. Richard had a gift for making people feel understood even when they didn’t know him well.

A keen observer and distiller of details, Richard was an avid poet and a photographer: passions he came to in midlife.

Richard loved sharing old movies. He was famous for his spaghetti sauce – never the exact same twice – which left dinner guests rapturous. Over his years, he explored a love of motion and nature, enjoying activities such as cross-country skiing, windsurfing, canoeing, hiking in Acadia in Maine, and simple daily walks along the Niagara River and the Creek Trail at Crosslands.

Richard was a night owl, a bakery-finder, a befriender of shopkeepers. He was a treasure hunter, and he would take his time in a library or used bookstore. He was inspired by Quakerism and Buddhism. He walked fast in New York City and loved having nowhere to go. Richard rebounded countless basketballs for his children and grandchildren, real and metaphorical.

Richard once told his daughter, newly a parent: joy is not a lesser art. Among many things, he is remembered for his integrity, humor, kindness, gentleness, and his abiding love for the world and people around him.

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Memory wall

September 6, 2026

This is the most beautiful obituary that I have ever seen. A true tribute to a most gentle man, a true gift to us all.

linda duffy

September 4, 2026

My guy, my uncle.... the one and only Richie Rich. That was my nickname for him growing up. I can still see the smile on his face when i would call him that. 😃. He truly was a great listener and someone I thoroughly enjoyed talking to. Such a great guy that is going to be dearly missed. I always loved visiting him and the family in New York for Thanksgiving years ago. They were ALWAYS my favorite Thanksgivings! Every birthday he and my aunt Sherrill call me and for some reason I always miss their calls, but fortunately they would always leave me a message. I NEVER delete them so I have a treasure trove of birthday wishes from him that I will NEVER be deleting and will most certainly be listening to regularly (like i just got done doing right now). Rest in peace my dear uncle. U will forever be missed. Until we meet again. Love you, big guy.

D.L. Hart

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