Stephen D. ""Steve Lord

Stephen D. “Steve” Lord, 73, of South Glastonbury, husband of Diane (Kawecki) Lord, died mercifully, painlessly, and in his sleep in the early morning hours of Thanksgiving Day (November 24, 2016) from lung cancer. He was cared for at his home in the home hospice program.

Steve was born on January 27, 1943, 3RD son to the late Harry and Catherine (McAlpine) Lord of West Hartford, and attended local schools. Graduating from William H. Hall High School in West Hartford, where he was a drummer in a jazz band, he began his life as a musician. Though he worked at DeGemmis Clothier in Glastonbury, Barrie Ltd Bootery in West Hartford and Footprints in Newington, if you asked him what he did, he would tell you he was a musician, a drummer.

Jazz was Steve’s life passion. His “Steve Lord Trio” played many venues in the state, including the Dock N Dine Restaurant in Old Saybrook, Sunday night Jazz at the Arch Street Tavern in Hartford, and many others. His musical feat was putting together a 22-piece swing “Steve Lord Big Band”. The band played at the Torrington Jazz Festival for three years, was the attraction of the West Hartford “Dancing under the Stars”, and every possible event Mrs. Sullivan could come up with at her home in West Hartford. He loved and admired the talent of all his musician friends.

Steve leaves to mourn him his wife of 35 years, Diane (Kawecki) Lord of South Glastonbury; two sons he helped raise, Walter Kawecki and his wife Charlotte of Branford, and Chris Kawecki of South Glastonbury; his much-loved brother, Paul M. Lord at Glastonbury Health Center; a sister-in-law, Gloria Mooney and her husband Jan of Tolland; and dear friends. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Richard Lord, who encouraged his love of jazz. Steve wistfully dreamed of a family jazz trio with himself on the drums, the talents of Chris’ perfect pitch on the piano, and Walter’s ear on the horn.

Steve’s family will receive relatives and friends on Friday (December 16, 2016) from 2-4 pm at the D’Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford. Private funeral service and burial will be held at the convenience of the family. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.