HAMPSTEAD, NH – David Matthew Nielsen Longshore, a longtime resident of Hampstead, New Hampshire and New York City, and a survivor/rescuer of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center, died July 2, 2016, in Hampstead. According to his family, he had been battling pancreatic cancer. He was 52.
Born in Ipswich, Massachusetts, on March 7, 1964, he was a 1982 graduate of Pinkerton Academy, and held degrees from Amherst College and the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Mr. Longshore worked for The New York Times, CBS News, and the New York City Department of Transportation, where he was the department's bridge historian. Between 2000 and 2004, Mr. Longshore served as a Public Information Officer and Director of Special Programs at the New York City Mayor's Office of Emergency Management. He also served two terms as a district leader on Manhattan's Upper West Side. For several years he taught Homeland Security at the University of Connecticut. Before retiring in 2014, Mr. Longshore worked as a Press Secretary for the New York State Assembly.
Mr. Longshore was a man of many diverse passions. He loved ships and maritime history, architecture, classical music, history, literature, meteorology, and public service. A talented artist, many of his assemblages are in private collections around the country. He was also the author of several books, short stories, and plays, including the award-winning Encyclopedia of Hurricanes, Typhoons, and Cyclones. Many of his short works of horror and fantastic fiction were published in various anthologies and magazines.
He is survived by his devoted and loving mother, Léonie Nielsen Longshore, of Hampstead; a biological father, Francis Myron Reed of Ipswich, MA; two sisters, Suzanne Nielsen Longshore of Hampstead, and Caroline Victoria Longshore of Louisville, Kentucky; a half-brother, Francis Myron Reed, Jr.; a brother, Michael John Alamo; another brother Jon Costa; two nephews, Benjamin David Proulx and George Anthony Nigro, III; two brothers-in-law, George Anthony Nigro,II, of Hampstead, NH, and Gary Sowden, of Louisville, KY; a loving aunt, Cheryl Cropley O'Connell, and many dear cousins and friends. He was predeceased by his father, Wilber E. Longshore, in 2009.
Calling hours were held Friday, July 8, 2016 from 5 to 7 pm in the Peabody Funeral Home, 15 Birch Street, Derry, NH. A Celebration of his Life was held Saturday, July 9th at 10:00 am in the Hampstead Congregational Church, 61 Main Street, Hampstead, NH. with cremation to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations in David’s name may be made to Boston Marine Society, 100 1st Avenue, Charlestown, MA 02129.