Robert H. Needham

Newton – Mr. Robert H. "Bert" Needham, of Newton, died Thursday, August 28, 2014 at Maristhill Nursing Home in Waltham. He was 75.

Bert was born in Worcester on June 19, 1939, a son of the late Clifford and Elizabeth (Raha) Needham. He was raised in Needham where he was a standout on the high school football team, graduating in 1957. After that he took his gridiron talents to Bowdoin College in Maine.

He later earned a degree from Suffolk University Law School in Boston and after passing
the bar he began his legal career at the Federal Reserve Bank in Boston and later worked in private practice.

On May 3, 1975 Bert married Cambridge native Susan M. Brennan at Emmanuel College Chapel in Boston. The couple made their home in Cambridge before moving to Newton in 1985 where they have lived since.

Bert belonged to the Massachusetts and American bar associations and had been a longtime worshipper at the Paulist Center in Boston. He was an avid outdoorsman and sports enthusiast.

In addition to his wife of 39 years, Susan, he leaves his daughter, Katharine B. Needham of Boston; his sister, Beth Shaw and her husband, Bob, of Groton; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Joan and William Nolan of Natick, Anne and Warren Gagan of Winchester, Jane and Geoff Feltner of Spencerport, New York and Marie Brennan Chasin of Sharon and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Bert's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Tuesday, September 2nd from 4 to 8 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning before leaving in procession to Saint Mary's Church, 133 School Street, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to Maristhill Nursing Home, 66 Newton Street, Waltham, MA 02453 or to Hospice of the Good Shepherd, 90 Wells Avenue, Newton, MA 02459.