Stephen Kenneth Hanks

Our Beloved Stephen Kenneth Hanks of West Hartford, Connecticut, entered eternal rest on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at the age of 72. He was born in Fort Gaines, Georgia, on August 22, 1951, to the late Doretha Wood Hanks and Stephen A. Hanks, Jr.
At the age of four, Stephen moved from Fort Gaines, Georgia to Hartford, Connecticut, where he has been a life-long resident. A prodigy of the Hartford public school system, Stephen won a leadership award in junior high school and later matriculated to the Hartford Public High School. There he was known as "Super Steve" because of his warm, friendly, outgoing personality and dynamic sense of humor, as well as his many accomplishments, both academically and athletically!
In his freshman year of high school, he won a scholarship to attend art classes at the Wadsworth Atheneum, which resulted in a scholastic arts award, in his sophomore year. In his junior year, Stephen was a member of Junior Achievement and was subsequently elected president of one of the companies of Jr. Achievement. He helped organize a successful and profitable program.
His versatility was not only in art and business, but also sports. He was one of the tri-captains on his high school football team and was selected for the All-City Team. He also participated in wrestling and became the team captain. His coach stated, "Stephen demonstrated the perfection of leadership and sportsmanship".
Upon graduation from Hartford Public High School, in 1970, Stephen attended the University of Connecticut and majored in Engineering. Stephen worked as a computer data processor in Aetna's home office and later enjoyed a 21-year career at Hartford Hospital, as a public safety officer, retiring in 2017.
A creative and entrepreneurial spirit, Stephen was self-employed as a professional photographer, specializing in corporate and portrait photography. He received numerous awards for his photography. Some of his favorite pastimes were golfing, baking, tennis, and listening to all genres of music. He had an extensive music collection, meticulously alphabetized by the artists!
Stephen was very knowledgeable and articulate on many topics--sports, politics, travel, and foreign languages--speaking both German and Japanese. As we all know, he had a gift for gab! He could talk, and talk, and talk, about any and every subject from beginning to end! His witty sense of humor would make you laugh, make you cry and he let everyone know, regardless of who they were, that they were special. Stephen was also a 'techie' with expertise in computers. If you needed some assistance, he could troubleshoot and solve the problem.
Most importantly, Stephen loved his family and always put family first! He especially enjoyed family gatherings and lit up every room he entered with the warmth of his beautiful, infectious smile and peaceful demeanor. His delicious dessert recipes for sweet potato pie and cheesecake were a big hit and delighted everyone's palate! Stephen was a nurturer, protector, and a great friend. He was truly loved by all who knew him and will be sorely missed by us all.
Stephen leaves to cherish his memory his daughter, Marshareen Harris; beloved cousins Shirley Ward, Linda Woods, Sylvania Woods Jr., Alfred Woods, Ronnie Woods, Deborah Woods, Dr. Pamela Mitchell, Greta West, Andrew Woods, Sebrena Woods & a host of other relatives; and dear friends Josh and Joe Nelson, Herbert Perryman, Ayisha Miller and Hugh Freeney.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to HCTC Youth Leadership Academy, 2550 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06120.