October 23, 2014
In Memoriam: Dr. John K. Primeau ’61; German professor taught 41 years at PC
Dr. John K. Primeau ’61, of Florida, a retired associate professor of German who taught at the College for 41 years, died on Aug. 7.
A Pawtucket, R.I., native, he joined the College faculty in 1965 as an instructor in German and taught until 2006, when he retired as associate professor. Dr. Primeau, who taught in the Development of Western Civilization Program, served as foreign languages department chair from 1974 to 1978.
After graduating from St. Raphael Academy in Pawtucket, Dr. Primeau attended PC on an Army ROTC scholarship and majored in physics. While at PC, he took a liking to the German language. He earned a master’s degree at the University of Texas at Austin and a doctorate in German at Boston College. He furthered his German studies after being named a Fulbright scholar.
A U.S. Army first lieutenant survey officer, he served in Frankfurt, Germany, with the 80th Artillery.
Among his many interests, Dr. Primeau was an avid fan and season ticket holder for the Friars’ men’s basketball team.
The husband of the late Kathleen (Hennessey) Primeau, he is survived by his daughters, Anne Primeau-Faubert ’86 and Jennifer Welliver; his sons, Mike and John “Jay” ’91 Primeau; and three grandchildren.
Dr. Primeau’s funeral was private. He was buried with military honors in Sarasota Veterans Cemetery.
