Primo S. Acosta

By the glory of the Lord, Primo S. Acosta had a wonderful 88 years of life. Primo passed away while in the hospital in the early morning hours of November 26, 2013. He always loved telling his children he was born in the Railroad Station in Bay City Texas on June 9, 1925 to Abrahana and Antonio Acosta. He was proud of his family of 4 brothers and 5 sisters. Today, only one brother, Ramon Acosta, remains living. They were especially close in life, even until the end. Primo traveled only a week before his passing to see Ramon in Harlingen.

Primo loved to tell stories of his childhood. The hard work he accomplished, the education and jobs he had along the way. He lost his right eye at the young age of 8 years old to an injury while playing with a wooden branch when he was supposed to be chopping wood. His father stayed with him for four weeks in the hospital while Primo recovered. With Antonio away from work for four weeks, the family banded together to carry the burden of no income for those four weeks. Primo recovered, was teased about his prosthetic eye, but grew up to be a hard worker. He was drafted into the Army, but did not pass his examination due to his prosthetic eye so he was not called to duty.

He saved money and went to the Coyne Electrical School in Chicago, Illinois to learn electronics. When he completed that course his first job was building motors for airplanes for the war. While living in Chicago he was called up for service again, passed the examination this time and went into the Army in 1946 at a military installation in Dearborn, Michigan where he completed basic training. After basic training he was sent to Camp Polk in Louisiana, from there he was then sent to New Jersey and after a few weeks he was sent to a hospital in Pennsylvania where he was examined and discharged due to having a prosthetic eye.

Primo returned to Texas where he attended the University of Houston for two years. He later took the civil service test that led to employment with the United States Post Office (currently the United States Postal Service) in 1948. Primo found great fulfillment at the USPS and had 35 years of exemplary service earning many accolades, service awards and letters of commendation due to his hard work ethic and outgoing personality. He retired from the Procurement Office of the USPS on February 28, 1983, only months before his wife, Margie, of 31 years passed away.

Primo married Marcelina “Margie” Sanchez on July 19, 1952 and had a family of four daughters: Anita, Beatrice, Cynthia and Petra. Primo was devoted to his family and was repaid with love, affection and respect by all. Margie’s family welcomed him as a mentor, adviser and father-like figure as their own father had passed away at an early age. Primo was predeceased by his wife Marcelina, daughter Beatrice A. DiBernardi, and grandson Jason A. Gonzales.

Primo is survived by three of his daughters and their families: Anita Palomares and her son, Anthony Palomares, Cynthia Acosta, Petra (Patsy) and Gilbert Guerrero and their children, Marcelina Guerrero, Jesse Guerrero, his wife Vinda, and Aaron Guerrero. He is also survived by Beatrice’s daughter Jessica Acosta and her son, his great-grandson and namesake, Primo Hernandez.

Primo knew how to work hard and play harder. He was a talented musician and singer who never met a microphone he did not like! He mastered the guitar, was self-taught on the piano and played in several small bands throughout the years. When together with his brother, Ramon, they would play old Spanish songs. With Ramon on the violin and Primo on the guitar, Margie would join in and sing. Many nights were spent together entertaining their friends and families.

A devout catholic, Primo attended St. Patrick Catholic Church in the near Northside. He was committed to the Democratic Party, always paid close attention to electoral candidates, and took pride in voting in every election. He took great pleasure in performing his civic duty and served two terms on the Harris County Grand Jury. His service also included volunteering and was a member of many clubs and organizations. These included: Hispanic Organization of Postal Employees, American Postal Workers Union, Past Officer, Knights of Columbus, Young at Heart – St. Patrick’s Church, Volunteer at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, Old Timers Club of Houston, Texas, and Woodmen of the World.

Services for Primo will include visitation Sunday, December 1 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at Pat H. Foley funeral home at 1200 W 34th St, Houston, TX 77018 with a Rosary at 5:00. The funeral mass will be held on Monday, December 2 at 10:00am at St. Patrick Catholic Church, located at 4918 Cochran St, Houston, TX 77009. Following the mass, the Interment will take place at Historic Hollywood Cemetery at 3506 N Main St, Houston, TX 77009, where he will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife, Margie.

The Acosta family would like to thank all friends and family for their years of love, support and prayers. They would also like to thank Dr. Juan Olivero for his many years of care and guidance and all the doctors, nurses and caregivers throughout the years at Methodist Hospital and DaVita Dialysis, including technicians Deborah and Tess.