BHS Bids Adieu to Long-Time Custodian Sherm Primmerman

Sherm Primmerman

“I just hope the world is a better place because we were here.”

That comment from Sherman Primmerman pretty much sums up why he has been a familiar and beloved personality around the town for almost five decades.

(And he wasn’t so pretentious to use the first-person plural – he means everybody.)

Primmerman retired Friday from the second-shift custodial slot at Bedford High School that he has worked since 1999. At last Tuesday’s School Committee meeting, members took turns lauding him, and a couple seemed close to tears.

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“I have very mixed feelings,” he admitted in an interview late last week. “I know it’s time for me to go, to slow down, but it’s hard to say goodbye to everybody. There are just so many people. I just like people, everybody, and I get to see exceptional people every day.”

Although he worked after school dismissal, from 2:30 to 11, “there always kids around — and I would fill in the daytime,” he said.

So he feels confident when he says, “I think kids today get such a bad rap. The kids are so good – they always have been. I think they are so much better than people see.”

The BHS community, Primmerman asserted, is “an unbelievable group of people. Everyone is so dedicated to the kids. I don’t know if people realize how much everyone cares – the principals, teachers, guidance counselors, the coaches, lunch ladies…”

During his 20-plus years, Primmerman worked under four school superintendents and four BHS principals. The current leader at BHS, Heather Galante, “is fantastic, a wonderful person,” he said.

Although he has resided out of town for many years, Bedford is in Primmerman’s DNA He grew up in the town – and so did his parents. In high school he worked in the small grocery at the corner of The Great and Fletcher Roads, owned by Paul Gilman and Ed van Laetham.

After graduating from BHS in 1972, Primmerman went to Framingham State College, but also began working part time at the Bedford Fruit Store, one door over from his former employer. Bedford fruit was familiarly known as Stefanelli’s, owned by Charlie and Tillie Stefanelli and their son Duke.

Stefanelli’s was frequented by all generations. A local landmark for decades, Bedford Fruit was a repository of broadcast news, with customers sharing stories of everything from this week’s selectmen’s meeting to high school sports to Air Force assignments. Thanks to the open campus policy at the high school, “we had more kids in the store than they did in school,” Primmerman exaggerated with a smile.

Primmerman, instantly recognizable with his shock of red hair, was the first outside the family to work there. And he ended up buying theplace in 1978, as Duke Stefanelli went to work for the Bedford Public Schools, on the custodial staff. “I’ve kind of followed his path,” Primmerman laughed, adding, “You will never find a better person than Duke.”

After several years in Bedford, Primmerman and a partner opened and operated a store in Billerica. But after two decades as a small businessman, he said, he realized that he needed to start considering things like pension and benefits.“It was time for a change,” he acknowledged.

So he was hired at BHS, on the custodial staff. Perhaps he was encouraged by Duke Stefanelli, he said.

He has worked alongside dozens of colleagues at the high school over the years, but he particularly mentioned a father and son. Lucas “Tad” Taddeo Jr., who died in 2019 at age 81, “had a big impact on me,” and Lucas Taddeo III “has been a great friend over the years.”

Most School Committee members feel a personal connection because he used to deliver pre-meeting packages to their residences. That began when he filled in for his supervisor, current Assistant Facilities Director Ron Scaltreto. “It was nice to get out and see people,” Primmerman said.

“It’s tough to put in words what Sherm has meant to me over the years,” Scaltreto wrote in a memorandum to the Facilities Department staff. “Solid worker. Voice of reason. Ultimate sacrificer. He has been awesome.”

Primmerman, a widower, has two children and a grandson.He is still spending a few days a week in Bedford as caretaker of the building at the Parish of St. Michael on Concord Road – a job he began a few years ago helping out his mentor Stefanelli.

“We have a wonderful group over there,” he said. “I’ll still be around, still busy. I’ll have a reason to get up every day.”

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Judy and John Reynolds
June 7, 2021 7:36 pm

Sherm,
John and I wish you the very best in retirement. Everyone who has retired will tell you you will be busier but at your own pace. It has been a pleasure to know you.

Dotty Blake
June 6, 2021 4:22 pm

Welcome to your retirement chapter! It was a pleasure to see your smiling face at the end of my work days at BHS. You will be sorely missed, but I’m sure we’ll see you around town. Best wishes for a long, happy & healthy retirement! Enjoy!

Noreen O'Gara
June 6, 2021 12:14 pm

Sherm – best wishes for a very happy retirement. You have been unfailingly kind and helpful to everyone in the community and you will be missed. Noreen O’Gara (former School Committee Member).

Diana J Mahoney
June 6, 2021 9:55 am

Sherm, Congratulations on your retirement. We wish you the best. Sincerely, Debbie, Diana, and Eric Bowlby

Bob Clark
June 5, 2021 10:43 pm

Wishing you all the best Sherm! You certainly always go above and beyond in all you do! Thank you for your dedicated service to the Bedford Community. You certainly helped numerous people throughout the years at your Store, the School and the Church! You always maintain a good work ethic and always do a thorough job in a very pleasant manner. You are appreciated and wishing you all the best in your well deserved retirement!

Kristin Ferrari
June 5, 2021 10:14 pm

Sherm is one of a kind. Always smiling always happy always warm. I will miss him dearly as he was the shining light here at BHS. I am truly better for knowing him.

June 5, 2021 8:59 pm

Happy retirement Sherm, see you at BHS 72 50th reunion I hope.

Diane Gemmell
June 5, 2021 7:52 pm

Best wishes on your retirement, Sherm! It has been wonderful knowing you all these years, even though we lost contact when Bill and I moved to Maine and then Florida. We are enjoying retirement to it’s fullest as I am sure you will too!

ginnie sibley
June 5, 2021 11:26 am

great person wish you the best

kimsiebert
June 5, 2021 8:36 am

Sherm is the best! It’s great to see his face again! We wish him all the best!

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