Alan Steele

Alan Steele, of Middletown, husband of Gertrude (Birnbaum) Steele for seventy years, died on January 20, 2021 at Middlesex Hospital.  Born in New York City, the youngest of five children, he was the son of the late David and Hannah (Bench) Schwartz. 

Alan graduated from New York University with a degree in mechanical engineering.  During the Korean War, he entered the U.S. Army and became one if the first ordinance officers trained specifically in the field of guided missiles.  After serving in the Army, he worked for Pratt & Whitney as an analytical engineer, and studied law at night at the UCONN law school.  He started work at a manufacturing company in Cheshire as the company attorney and also became a registered patent attorney.  After the company closed, he went back to private practice in Middletown.  Governor O’Neil chose Alan as one of the first magistrates for family support court where he presided until retirement.

Alan was also involved in civic work for the City of Middletown serving on the Board of Finance, the building committee of Keigwin School, and the Corporation Council for the city.  He was president of the Middlesex Bar Association and president of MARC.  In his spare time, he enjoyed traveling, playing golf, a game of bridge and his martini before dinner.

Along with his wife, Gert, Alan is survived by his daughter, Debbie Seligmann and her husband Dan of Middletown, his son Richard Steele of Wallingford and his son Mark Steele and his wife Liz of Houston, Texas; his grandchildren, Zachary, Mike, Rachel, Stephanie and special step-granddaughter Jaime (Jake) and great grandbaby, Indy Jean, and many nephews and nieces.

He is predeceased by three brothers, one sister and a beloved grandchild, Anthony.

Services will be private and burial will be in Adath Israel Cemetery.  Donations in Alan’s memory may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.  To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.

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