Remembering the life of Atty. Howard Berger (2024)

Andover - Attorney Howard Martin Berger, 76, of Andover and Harwich, MA. passed away unexpectedly on Friday, August 2nd, on Cape Cod, one of his favorite places.
Howard had a profound impact on the lives of many - his loving family, his countless friends, and his loyal clients. He was one-of-a-kind; unfailingly generous, kind-hearted, and the ultimate raconteur. He delighted in regaling his family and friends with anecdotes that reflected his uniquely humorous outlook on the world.
Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, he spent most of his life in Andover. Bar Mitzvahed at Temple Emanuel in Lawrence, he graduated from Andover High School in 1966, and went on to Temple University in Philadelphia, then Suffolk Law School in Boston. A proud member of the Massachusetts Bar, he spent nearly 50 years in the general practice of law. He was devoted to his clients in a way that few are - he would accept a phone call at any time of day, and was much more than a lawyer for those who were lucky enough to call him their attorney. He was formerly Chair of the Property Law Section of the Mass Bar and practiced law for decades, first with his father J. John, then with his brother Carl, and their law partner James Hyde in downtown Andover.
In addition to his legal practice, Howard was a member of the Board of Directors for the Hingham Institute for Savings. He was also the co-owner of The Point, an historic watering hole in Faneuil Hall.
It was in law school in Boston that Howie first met Susan Shepard, his "duck", also an attorney. They married in 1980 at the Lanam Club in Andover, and remained inseparable for the next 44 years.
The Berger family were members of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Andover, and of the Indian Ridge Country Club for many decades.
Howie was an avid and astute Blackjack player; he never met a side bet he didn't like. He remembered every meal he ever ate and loved dining out and holding court at Bishops Restaurant, a bygone Lawrence institution.
Yet Howie's greatest devotion was to his family. He was an adoring husband, and a loving and accepting father to his three children. Later in life, Howard doted on his grandchildren. For years, he also cherished the companionship of the family's Cairn Terrier, Echo.
Howard is preceded in death by his parents, J. John and Mollie Berger, and is survived by his wife Susan Shepard, his children, Jesse Berger of Norwood, Mass., Ned Berger, of Los Angeles, and Meryl Berger and her wife Allison of Plainville, Mass., and their children Molly and Benjamin. He's also survived by his brother Carl Berger and wife Mamie, of Amesbury, Mass.
Beyond his family, Howard leaves legions of close friends and longtime clients whose lives he touched with his humor and compassionate advocacy. The world will be a little less fun without Howie Berger.
A Memorial for Howard Will be Held at the North Parish Unitarian Universalist Church at 190 Academy Road in North Andover on Thursday, August 8th at 11am. Luncheon to Follow at the Lanam Club at 260 N. Main Street in Andover at 1pm. Funeral Arrangements by H.L. Farmer & Sons Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Haverhill~Bradford.
In Lieu of Flowers, please Make donations in Howie's name to the MSPCA or Suffolk Law School.
To share a memory or for more information, please visit www.farmerfuneralhomes.com.

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Published on August 8, 2024