Obituary of Alexander Stewart Lord

Alexander Lord

Alexander Stewart ‘Sandy’ Lord died unexpectedly on January 30, 2022 in Pittsfield, MA.  He will be missed.

Born in New York, NY March 8, 1949, Sandy, son of Joan Malloch Lord and William Galey Lord II was the eldest of four.  Raised in Irvington, NY with summers in Waquoit, MA he attended Hackley School, graduated from The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, CT and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Sandy’s passion for nature, music, and sailing developed as a child and grew throughout his life. He discovered his love of performing while at Hotchkiss singing with the acappella group, The Blue Notes.  Sailing with his father and family as a child on Waquoit Bay developed his love and respect for the water. He could often be seen sailing alone, or with his father or others on Waquoit Bay.   In 1969 he sailed in the TransAtlantic Race from Newport, RI to Cork, Ireland – a highlight of his life. Taking his last plane trip ever he returned to the States just in time to make it to Woodstock.

Life took Sandy from Irvington to North Carolina to Cape Cod and finally to his home of the last 45 years in the Berkshires. Sandy Lord was devoted to his home on Mount Washington which he shared with his wife, Mary Beth, whom he lost in 2004. He worked diligently to try and save land through a land trust and serving on the local Conservation Committee. He loved the community, volunteering his music at the annual Mt. Washington Fair for many years.

 An avid birder, Sandy was often seen wandering with his binoculars around his neck. Always watching he had an extensive Life List and regularly contributed to the Christmas Bird Count.  Sandy could be seen running on the mountain, or just standing talking to one of his many friends. He was the wild man of the mountain with his long hair, not cut since 1970, and a bushy moustache. He was truly just the person he wanted to be.

He worked as a carpenter, a caretaker, and a grip on the movie “Judge Dred”. He worked for years as a P.A. for his dear friend Glen. Sandy taught music at Hotchkiss and to numerous private students.  For years he ran a stage at Center Fest in Great Barrington. A mainstay at The Lion’s Den, performing for over 20 years, he was one of their longest running performers. Performing Monday evenings solo, with Madame Joy, and most recently as “Sandy and Sandy”.

His greatest love was playing music in nursing homes as “Sandy and Sandy”.  He truly connected with the veterans telling them about his father jumping into Normandy on D-Day, and was, in turn, delighted to hear their stories. This was true of everyone he met. To quote W.B. Yates: “There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven’t yet met”.

Sandy was a wonderful man who deeply loved his friends, his mountain, the birds and animals, his wife Mary Beth, his family, and most of all his music. He will be missed by neighbors and friends far and wide who greatly loved their conversations with Sandy, his stories, poems, and music. As Sandy would say “One love every time”

Sandy is survived by his siblings, Sue Lord of McCormick, SC, Pam Lord Camara of Kingston, NY, and Meg Lord of Parsonsfield, ME, his niece and nephew Shea and Kai Lord-Farmer and great niece Mina as well as numerous cousins, and his music partner and life friend Sandy Nunn.  In lieu of flowers contribution may be made to The Nature Conservancy in care of the BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOME 33 South Street Great Barrington MA 01230. Condolences may be made through birchesroyfuneralservices.com.

12 Responses to Obituary of Alexander Stewart Lord

  1. Sandy you were so loved by our residents here at Litchfield Woods. It was more than your music that they looked forward to, it was all the conversations they shared with you as well. You will truly be missed!

  2. Sandy Nunn if you are reading this please girl get in touch with me. I need to know you are ok. I’m at Timberlyn still. You can reach me there or bus email .

    Sandy was such an instrumental pun intended part of my life I will always remember you man and the special love you brought into my life and all of our lives at Timberlyn. Much love to you rest in peace . Love Kathy Fleming Boldygs

  3. Sandy you will be sincerely missed. You had such a unique, fun, and engaging approach when performing for us here at Noble Horizons, everyone couldn’t help but to have a good time. You brought so many smiles and enjoyment to the room, you were truly the life of the party! Thank you for all of the good times. You will always be in our hearts.

  4. II remember Sandy as a sensitive, sincere, solid, respectful, responsible, kind and able young man in my math class at Hotchkiss in 1964. He lived a worthy life close to nature, music and friends. Thanks, Sandy, for enriching the lives of so many for so long. Alan Haas

  5. I had the privilege of rooming with Sandy, senior year at Hotchkiss. After that, we lost touch for fifty years, only to catch up over a few beers at the Red Lion During our golden reunion weekend. Sandy lived his life the way he wanted to live it, while touching the lives of countless others through his music. He was a kind man and a gentle soul.

  6. To the family and friends of Sandy he will be missed. I had the pleasure of meeting hm at PneHll assisted living in Lenox where he and Sandy Nunn performed for the residence. I enjoy photographing and visiting with he and Sandy and will always remember him as the man of n the cowboy hat.

  7. Certain performances seem to stick with me, Sand & Sandy was one, 7-years ago one summer eve at the Windsor Pond Concert series. Just thought, someone just might like to see and hear Sandy one more time! Thanks

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZxJ_Ow8k50

  8. Well, 7-years ago I was able to meet Sandy & Sandy at the Summer Concert at Windsor Lake North Adams. Enjoyed their performance.
    If you would like to hear and see Sandy visit below.
    T.Y.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZxJ_Ow8k50

  9. Dear Sandy,
    We are deeply grieved of your passing. Having come out to play at our wedding and meeting up with you and Sandy a few more times since, you impressed me with your salt of the earth personality, your urban-cowboy mystique, the many facial smile and laughter lines accumulated from a lifetime’s pursuit of joyousness, and the love of music you imparted to anyone who’d care to listen. You will live on in our memories.
    -Daniel

  10. We will all miss Sandy so much! I’m grateful to have bumped into him several times over the past two pandemic years. I always loved to hear his reports about the music he was sharing and the birds he was watching! Sandy spirit, just so indomitable, made such a rich contribution to our Berkshire community. His candid sensitivity and willingness to tell the truth was such a delight. No doubt his spirit has joined with Mary Beth‘s, and his parents and with that there is peace. I send my heartfelt condolences to Sandy‘s sisters, and to his music partner, Sandy, who must be keenly feeling his loss right now— I’m sorry for your loss.
    Much love on your journey on the other side Sandy,
    Margo

  11. We will miss Sandy so very much, he made us smile and gave so much through his music.
    Our thoughts go out to his family, Sandy and all those that will miss him..

    Polly Mann

  12. I am so sad that this kind soul have left us!! I don’t think I have ever met such a kind and gental person!!! My residents are beside themselves because when you came to our place you had such a connection with every single person you met!! There will never be another Sandy lord!!! And not to mention the sidekick sandyNun!!! You are just as amazing!!! We all here at shcc will miss you so very much!! May Sandy fly with the angels in heaven in peace, love and harmony!!☮️☮️☮️

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