David "Skip" Longmore

Poland - David "Skip" Longmore, 79, of Poland, passed away peacefully Thursday, November 27, 2008 at Select Specialty Hospital in Boardman surrounded by those who loved and adored him. David was born May 28, 1929 in Youngstown, a son of Hunter and Henrietta Corrigan Longmore. He was a 1948 graduate of Woodrow Wilson and he joined the United States Air Force in 1951 and served during the Korean War. He worked as a machinist for the Sharon Steel Corporation in Lowellville and Farrell for 43 years, retiring in 1991. He was a member of the United Steel Workers Union. David was instrumental in promoting the Poland Community Baseball Association as early as 1961, long before he had any participating children. Initially, he helped to maintain the field and he umpired as needed. He then started his coaching career in Little League. When his children, David and Patrick, were of age, he coached their Little League teams, winning two championships. With the help of many friends, he built what was to become the baseball field for the girls' softball league. He was the former President of the Poland Community Baseball Association and remained in the organization until 1991, retiring as the Assistant Director of the Girls' Softball League. David also loved bowling, having played on various leagues from 1979 to just this past year. He served as a Director with the Men's Bowling Association. In addition to his baseball and bowling, his hobbies included woodworking, badminton, horseshoes, and cards, where his legendary competitive spirit was admired as well as feared. He was a former member of Holy Family Church in Poland. Perhaps David's greatest contribution was the values he passed onto his children. He believed in hard work, dependability, loyalty, honesty, and compassion. He had a very strong belief in family and was his happiest during family get togethers where love and laughter flowed. David took great pride in being able to help others, lending a hand to anyone who needed it. For those he loved and for those who loved him, the world will be a sadder place with his passing. David is survived by his cherished and loving wife, the former Claire Ann McCarthy, whom he married November 14, 1952; three children, Carol Ann (Kenneth) Tenney, David James (Patricia) Longmore, and Patrick Charles Longmore, all of Poland; a grandson, Kenneth Michael Longmore; his loving and loyal sisters, Edna Richards of Boardman and Jean Burke of Hubbard; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services will be held Monday at 10 a.m. at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home in Poland and 10:30 a.m. at St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church in Struthers. Interment will follow at Poland Riverside Cemetery. Family and friends will be received Sunday from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.

---