Howard David Pariser

Howard David Pariser, a quintessential New Yorker who left an indelible impression on everyone he met, passed away peacefully in his San Francisco home on June 5,2025, at the age of 73 after a period of declining health associated with end-stage kidney disease.

Born in New York on July 14,1951, to Dr. Sanford and Marilyn Pariser, he is survived by his loving wife and caregiver Mary, son Andrew (Rebecca), and blue-eyed granddaughters Claire and Zoe, and by younger brothers Paul (Erin) and Evan (Nataly) and their children and grandchildren.

A graduate of Hamilton College, Howard obtained his JD degree from Brooklyn Law School in June 1976. Howard was passionate about politics: One of his formative experiences was working alongside Rep. Allard K. Lowenstein (D-NY5) who was credited with inspiring countless students to lives of activism and social justice and was assassinated in 1980.

A fierce advocate for criminal defendants and for fathers in child custody battles, Howard practiced law in NYC for more than four decades, proudly holding the record at Legal Aid for most contempt of court citations.

A political news junkie for whom MSNBC was - like wallpaper – always on, he enjoyed discussing current events with anyone who would listen and many who wouldn’t. He loved poetry, traveling – especially to places with great food – and sharing his favorite restaurants with friends.

His only son Andrew was his pride and joy until Andrew and Rebecca had daughter Claire and then Zoe. So strongly did Howard feel about being part of their lives that the diehard New Yorker decided to uproot himself and Mary to live on their street in San Francisco.

His many friends and family will miss his outsized personality and soft heart.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, June 12, at Riverside Memorial Chapel, 180 West 76th Street in Manhattan. Shiva will be held from 6:00 to 8:30 pm that night at 42 West 11th Street.

Memorial donations can be made to The Legal Aid Society (legalaidnyc.org)