HARTFORD, Conn.—Brian Steinberg (Dec. 15, 1941 – May 24, 2026), beloved Communist Party leader, passed away in Hartford on May 24 at the age of 84 surrounded by family. His beautiful and inspiring memorial service on June 12 reflected Brian’s lifelong dedication to the multi-racial working-class movement for equality and socialism. Filled with love, the service was packed with family, Communist, union, and community leaders and activists of all ages from Hartford and across Connecticut.
His daughter, Jane Steinberg, called upon all present to carry on her dad’s life work. “If you’re not already active, find a group that you want to work with and get involved to make a better world,” she said in concluding the service held at the Pond House in West Hartford.
Brian pioneered organizing at the grassroots neighborhood level by bringing the People’s World to hundreds of families at their homes weekly across Hartford up to his last days. These routes became the basis for organizing ongoing Communist Party neighborhood clubs that have fought and won victories, including the first civilian review board at a time of intense police brutality against the African American and Puerto Rican communities in Hartford.
His concept of neighborhood organizing with the People’s World set a new standard throughout Connecticut and nationally. An outstanding teacher, Brian brought forward the history of fascism, emphasizing the need and urgency to build a united front and protect democratic rights as part of achieving the longer term goal of socialism.
When Brian received a Special Recognition at the People’s World Amistad Awards in 2022, when he turned 80, he took the opportunity to warn about rising fascism and called for unity and solidarity, saying, “It is now the time to continue and win more needed gains and to ensure a strong united front in the coming elections and future.”
Speakers at the memorial from different parts of Brian’s life all recounted stories of their time with him and the fun and adventures they shared.
Tom Connolly told of maintaining Brian’s People’s World routes while he was in the hospital and recalled first seeing Brian as a teenager attending the famous DownBeats band concerts led by Brian on saxophone. Melvin Thomas, one of the DownBeats, told how they, as the first interracial band, helped integrate the Musicians Union at the time.
Joelle Fishman spoke of being a team with Brian for 58 years ever since they were asked by their mentors to help rebuild the Communist Party in Connecticut following McCarthyite repression. She described her weekly trips to Hartford from New Haven and meeting with Brian in between his academic schedule and precious family time.
“It was a swirl of campaigns, strikes and organizing drives, trips and conferences, and fundraising parties. We called for ‘tax the rich’ and ‘people before profits’ when no one else would, and along with Art Perlo and others developed practical campaigns along the way,” she said to applause.
“Thank you, Brian. You inspired us with your depth of understanding, with your lifelong courage, and with your constant commitment and vision for socialism.”
She concluded by remembering Brian’s work in the South during Freedom Summer in 1963, announcing, “We now launch Brian Steinberg Solidarity Summer to get out the vote against fascism and for a better world in 2026. We carry on in your name.”
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 U.S. 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 Communist Party and remained an 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, the aforementioned Downbeats. Brian’s brothers, Bill and Jim, were also members of the band, and Hyman was their manager. The Downbeats were Connecticut’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 August 1963 and was honored to hear Rev. 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 Ph.D. 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 in Massachusetts. 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.
May Brian’s lifelong fight for justice and equality be an inspiration to all that knew him and beyond.
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