Howard Jay Needle, a longtime Pikesville community activist, attorney and former member of the House of Delegates representing Northwest Baltimore County, passed away on Monday, Jan. 29. He was 88.
A Baltimore native, Needle attended city public schools and graduated from Forest Park High School. He received his bachelor’s degree from Grinnell College in Iowa in 1956, and his law degree four years later from the University of Maryland School of Law.
Needle, who was a Democrat, served in the House of Delegates, representing the 2nd and 12th districts, from 1971 to 1978.
“Howard Needle was a hardworking and devoted attorney,” his family wrote on the website of Sol Levinson & Bros.. “He proudly served as a member of the House of Delegates in Baltimore County for eight years. He helped to establish the Pikesville Armory Foundation, and pioneered the Baltimore Subway and Northwest Expressway, helping to shape today’s Baltimore County.
“His passion and devotion to his work and community was matched only for the love he had for his wife and family. Travelling the world and soaking in every minute was always important to him. He will be missed dearly by all who knew him.”
Over the years, Needle served as a member of the Governor’s Commission to Revise the Condemnation Laws, the Steering Committee of Human Relations Council of Northwest Baltimore County, the Mass Transit Administration Citizen Advisory Committee and as director of the Pikesville Chamber of Commerce.
He was also involved with the Baltimore Junior Association of Commerce and the Baltimore County Citizen Advisors on Planning and Development. For four decades, he served the the Pine Ridge Neighborhood Association Inc. as vice president. In September of 2022, Needle was honored by Baltimore County Councilman Izzy Patoka (D-2nd) for his work for the association.
“Howard has been a leader in the community, coordinating many zoning matters, community interests and other important neighborhood issues,” Patoka posted on social media at the time. “It was my office’s pleasure to present Howard with a resolution tonight on behalf of the County Council recognizing his outstanding accomplishments and service.”
In recent years, Needle was a co-founder and leader of the local group 1,000 Friends of Pikesville, which helped spearhead the Pikesville Armory redevelopment and revitalization plan. At last week’s groundbreaking ceremony for the Pikesville Armory project, Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Maryland) praised Needle’s efforts during his remarks.
He is survived by his wife, Susan “Sue” Needle (nee Willen); children, Jim A. Needle, Stan A. (Jonna) Needle, and Allen D. (Jacqi) Needle; and grandchildren, Sidney Needle, Spencer Needle, Elise ‘Milo’ Needle, and Jack Needle.
Howard Needle was predeceased by his sister, May Ruth Seidel; and parents, Sidney A. Needle and Mollie Needle.
Funeral services will be held at Sol Levinson’s Chapel, 8900 Reisterstown Road in Pikesville on Thursday, Feb. 10, at 10:30 a.m. Interment at United Hebrew Cemetery, 3901 Washington Boulevard.
Contributions in Needle’s memory may be sent to Common Cause (commoncause.org). The family will be observing shiva at 1321 Harden Lane in Pikesville on Thursday from 6-9 p.m., Friday from 1-5 p.m., and Saturday from 6-9 p.m.
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