Brian Steinberg

Brian Steinberg passed away peacefully surrounded by family on May 24th, 2026 at the age of 84. Brian lived life loudly in a rhythm of movement and sound, fueled by his involvement in the popular music scene and politics. He was born in Hartford to an Italian mother and Jewish father. His early home life introduced him to politics at a young age. Brian’s father, Hyman, owned a popular West Hartford pizza restaurant called Dino’s, but Hyman’s passion was his involvement in the Communist Party — something he passed down to his son.

As a card-carrying Communist at the height of McCarthyism, Brian’s father was pursued by the US government and found himself on the front page of the paper. Though Hyman’s political affiliation cost the family their house, he maintained his beliefs and the experience only further instilled those values in his son. Brian went on to become a leader in the party and active member throughout his life.

Brian attended Weaver High School in Hartford and was very active in both student government and his school’s marching band. In his freshman year, Brian started playing tenor sax in an R&B band called the Downbeats. Brian’s brothers Bill and Jim were also members of the band and Hyman was their manager. The Downbeats were CT’s first integrated group and their widespread popularity inspired the state’s two music unions (one Black and one white) to integrate. Though their early gigs were mostly bar mitzvahs and high school dances, the Downbeats eventually gained so much popularity that their concerts brought them to venues across New England and helped finance Brian’s bachelor’s degree at UConn. The Downbeats played back-up for several notable artists when they came through Hartford such as Gladys Knight & the Pips, The Marvellets, The Four Tops, Chuck Berry, and Stevie Wonder.

At UConn, Brian maintained his political leanings and became one of the first left-wing students to run for and win a student government position. The FBI, which wasn’t happy that a Communist student was in power, came to investigate him. He later continued his activism in Mississippi in 1963 when several civil rights workers were killed by the Ku Klux Klan. Brian headed south, joining the movement to register voters. Brian attended the March on Washington in 1964 and was honored to hear Reverend Martin Luther King speak. Brian’s political involvement took a deeper dive into academia when he completed his master’s at the University of Wisconsin and his PhD at New York University in political science.

Brian met his wife Merrilee through his sister, Bobbie. Brian and Merrilee shared a love and passion for activism and the pursuit of social justice. Their 30 years together before her death were filled with rallies, political meetings, heated political conversations, and a close-knit group of friends and family. One notable year, their daughter Jane spent Thanksgiving with her grandparents because both Brian and Merrilee were in jail after being arrested at a protest. Merrilee was a labor organizer who rose quickly through the ranks of the union. When Merrilee was offered a top organizing job, Brian turned down a professorship offer at Rutgers University to stay at home with their young daughter, Jane. Brian went on to teach for 47 years at

Westfield State University. He taught political science, and ran their award-winning Model United Nations club.

Brian later met his partner, Sue Tenorio, through his work on the Hartford police civilian review board. Sue and Brian were together for 10 years before his death.

Brian is survived by his daughter Jane Steinberg and son-in-law Jordan Cahan, grandchildren Sydney and Dashiell Cahan, siblings Jim Steinberg, Bill Steinberg and his wife Karen, as well as his partner, Sue Tenorio. He also leaves behind beloved nieces and nephews, and his dog Mookie. He is predeceased by his sister Bobbie Koplowitz and wife Merrilee Milstein.

Brian’s memorial service will be held on Friday, June 12th at 10am at the Pond House in West Hartford.

May Brian’s lifelong fight for justice and equality be an inspiration to all that knew him and beyond.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the following:

CT People’s World Committee

37 Howe Street

New Haven, CT 06511

Westfield State University Foundation, Inc.

P.O. Box 1630

Westfield, MA 01086

(Write in Check Memo: Model UN, Political Science Department