On Thursday, 30th January 2025, we lost our brave, stoic, lovely dad, David Shore, to Motor Neurone Disease. He was comfortable, and we were with him.
David was a Scottish, left-wing atheist. A kind, measured and intellectual man with more integrity than most. A civil and chemical engineer, who dedicated his working life to water treatment in the UK and South America.
He was a Nottingham Forest supporter. Joni Mitchell superfan. Motorbike rider. Theatre lover. World traveller. Wine aficionado. Mahjong master. Chairman of the tennis club and enthusiastic golfer and fisherman (until MND cruelly took his physicality away). A committed online bridge player, quiz and blog writer to the very end.
Husband to our mum, Doreen, Dad to us both, Fiona and Adam, Grandad (Napa) to Magnus and Reyner. Brother, brother-in-law, cousin, uncle, great-uncle, father-in-law and friend.
We are heartbroken. MND robbed David of the active retirement he deserved. But he kept on smiling, through all the pain and physical setbacks. He enjoyed his life and loved his family.
We miss him so much already. X
In memory of David Shore, we ask that you donate to help the MND association, so that they can continue their work:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/david-shore?newPage=true
Tributes to David Shore:
David was, and always will be my “little brother”. From our childhood days he always did the things that would last in our memories. From his first Nativity, I remember he was a shepherd, standing banging his crook on the stage, and then always taking his sword out to play when he left the flat in Hong Kong. His explanation there was that he lived on the 10th floor and going down was easy but he was too short to press the button for the return hence the sword was required. Always practical, and with a logical solution to a problem. A career in Engineering obviously beckoned.
The greatest impact he had on me was the guidance and tuition he gave me in Maths when I wanted to become a Nurse. Without his help I am sure I would never have passed the exams and for that, I will be forever grateful.
David, you have been taken too early in the cruellest of ways, but I admire how you have faced this with such bravery. This whole series of blogs is a legacy to how you have lived your life these past 7 years. I shall miss you every single day of my life.
Rest in peace “little brother” With all my love your “big sister”
Kate x
Uncle David; such a strong, courageous, and thoughtful man. Always putting everyones’ needs and wishes before his own. So many lovely memories to cherish. Forever the gentle giant of the family. Always in our hearts.
Diane Xxx
Adam and Laura told us all about David and so I followed his blog. John and I feel sad that we didn’t get to meet this wonderful man. May he now rest in peace.
Brenda & John
I was so sad to hear the news about your father, David and sorry for your loss.
I am the organiser of golf in the Southern Branch of the Institution of Civil Engineers. David first attended the Golf Day in 2009 when he was a member at Haywards Heath Golf Club. He was introduced by Barry Staynes who was the founder of the golf day and was also a member at Haywards Heath. Barry and David are pictured in the Southern Team photo [below]. That year, David also qualified for the Southern Team to play in the Thomas Telford Trophy (The ICE National Event) at Celtic Manor in Wales. He became a regular member of the team and last represented the Branch at Hillside in 2016 before he moved to Nottingham. All teams were photographed with the trophy so it is not as though we kept winning!
This shows that the courage that people like your father showed inspires others to raise money to try and find a cure for the disease. You should be very proud of him.
I know I and his golfing friends in the South were inspired by his blog – Living with Motor Neurone Disease. It really must have taken courage to write about his experience of the horrible disease with such humour. My last correspondence from him was when he let me know about Martin Sarsfield who, inspired by Kevin Sinfield who ran seven marathons in seven days, set himself the challenge of swimming 30 miles in 30 days for “Martin’s David Shore 30 miles in 30 days swim”.
Andy S
I’m so very sad to read of [David’s] passing.
David was a true pal for me when I relocated to Sussex, joining SEW as a ‘virgin’ in the water industry! Often over a pint together, his grace and patience taught me a great deal of what I learned in the 5 years we worked together!
We retained /renewed our contact with every 6 Nations contest between the old enemies, right up until last season. I shall miss the opportunity to ‘speak via text’ with him when Eng v Scot meet again on the 22nd.
I’ll be there on-line, upholding you, Adam and your Mum and I’ll raise a glass after, to toast and remember a very fine man!
Warmest wishes to you both.
Neil T
So sorry, what an amazing man who tried so hard to keep going! Followed his MND page for a long time…he loved his sports, especially rugby. Our thoughts are with you all xx
Carol H
We are very sad to learn that your Dad has passed away and we send our heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
We played golf and bridge with David at Haywards Heath GC and he was an inspiration to us all. We so admired his courage and bravery with the way he tackled the MND. He had a wonderful sense of humour and was just a lovely man.
He will be greatly missed by you, your family and by us all.
Nick & Janet G
I am very sad to hear this. I very much enjoyed our correspondence over the last five years. David was always an inspiring correspondent and maintained his sense of humour to the end, without an ounce of self-pity. He was a lovely man and I know we will all miss him very much. May he rest in peace.
My condolences to you, Doreen and your family.
Garry C
I’m so pleased he was still able to enjoy a family time at Christmas, and also with his college friends just before that.
It’s good that the end was not too long drawn out. He was amazing, the interest he had in everything even though he was so ill. It was really a pleasure to visit him and your mum, and I am glad we got to see them in November.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers and especially thinking of your boys.I’m so pleased he was still able to enjoy a family time at Christmas, and also with his college friends just before that.
It’s good that the end was not too long drawn out. He was amazing, the interest he had in everything even though he was so ill. It was really a pleasure to visit him and your mum, and I am glad we got to see them in November.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers and especially thinking of your boys.
Pamela & Maurice
Such sad news – [David] was a courageous man who bore his illness with such dignity; he was liked and respected by all who knew him.
You may or may not know the Bridge Group at HH golf club play annually a competition which runs for 6 months named after him – they play for the ‘David Shore Shield’. We make the presentation of the Shield April-time and this year will be especially poignant.
Joy M
Your dad was one of my best mates in work and play. His resilience in recent years was absolutely amazing.
I’m glad that you were all with him at the end. He loved his family.
PS Forest are beating Brighton 3-0 at half time today Bragging rights to your dad.
(*Adams Note – it was 7 -0 in the end. Forest did David proud that day).
David P
Please accept our sincere condolences. He was a truly lovely man and a good friend.
Please also give our love and good wishes to your mother.
Wendy & Richard M
I have passed on the news to the tennis club. I don’t think any of us could quite understand how he could write so positively about life every month when he was so very disabled by MND. I will miss his blogs and the quizzes he sent.
Sad times for you and the rest of the family and indeed for all those who had the privilege of knowing David.
With love and thoughts
Sarah F
Hope you’re bearing up ok. I let a former colleague know as she worked with your Dad many moons ago. She passes on her regards.
She said when Newcastle and Gateshead water companies merged, some kids came in for the day (school visit probably) and left super excited as they thought they’d met Matthew Corbett (Sooty’s Dad) x
Leanne
I am sorry to hear of David’s Passing, my thoughts and condolences are with you and your family.
I reported to David on and off for over ten years at South East Water, always enjoyed working with him, he was a real help for me in my career and always very supportive.
I still recall him doubled over with laughter at his retirement do – watching me try to hit a golf ball from the 1st tee (it took me 3 or 4 goes) – I had never played golf before and David took us all for a 9 hole round at his local club to celebrate his retirement.
I have been Operations Director at SEW now for five years and am always still conscious it is very much David’s footsteps I am following in! I always feel guilty if we ever have issues in the Cuckfield area even though I know David relocated to Nottingham to be near you all a few years ago!
Our operational Christmas dinners at Davids local in Cuckfield are still talked about as we always had the famous beef wellington each year – loved by most!
I exchanged emails with David over the past few years and was pleased to stay in touch during his last years.
Once again my thoughts are with you. He will be missed.
Doug W
I remember your dad very well from tennis days – although I think he was in a different league from me! He also provided such good quizzes in those early days of lockdown.
You might be interested to know that our son Mark took part in a relay cycle race of 650 miles called Doddie’s Grand Tour 2025 around Scotland last weekend. He spent two days on it and they ended up in Edinburgh having raised at least £550k for MND research. One of these days there will be a breakthrough and a cure will be found for this cruel disease.
Please give our sympathy to your mother and of course to you both as well.
Sheila & David M
I would like to tell you about my friendship with your dad.
I owned a Spanish as a Foreign Language school here in Buenos Aires . David was one of my students back in the 80’s. We made friends and played chess. When he returned to the UK we continued playing chess daily, by mail. Incredible. Around 40 years of being in touch daily through chess.
We met personally again only 3 times. 2 in England and one when he came here again with Doreen and 2 friends.
Along these 40 years we discussed politics, economy and many other subjects. Your dad’s mind remained perfect until the last moment.
I used to make a funny comment each time I received his monthly blog. (the fish in the house pond that vanished and reappeared was one joke excuse, crane to lift him over the toilet. Etc).
During these years, I had a heart attack, cancer, etc. Luckily, I am healthy now.
I miss David.
Daniel
I am so sorry to read of your Dad’s passing. He certainly managed his latter years with MND with dignity.
I worked with David for a few years as Asset Director when David was Operations Director. When he retired I took over his role and followed him into retirement 3 years later. We had many challenges presented to us but he was always honest, fair and a gentleman.
I’m sure you and all the family will miss him and it is a great shame that he did not have longer to enjoy you all and his hobbies.
With love to you all,
Paul S
Sending all our love and thoughts to you all.
He was a very special man and we all thought a lot of him.
Jemma T
So sorry to hear the sad news and many condolences to you and Doreen.
As you will know, David was a good golfing friend of mine who I met when he and Doreen were living down here in Cuckfield. We (David Port and myself) went on three very enjoyable golfing holidays together. David was really good company and a brilliant organiser. It’s some time now since we’ve met up but I am full of admiration for him for keeping in touch via his monthly blogs and his MND news.
It’s comforting to know you were all with him at the end.
All the best to you both,
Gareth and Barbara
So sad to hear about your dad. I did try to keep in touch with him after he left Cuckfield and I always felt we had an affinity being fellow Scots. He coped with that horrible disease with dignity, honesty and humour. In some ways you must all feel relieved that his suffering is over but his blogs gave all of us an insight into what he was going through.
Sending love to your Mum and the family.
Brenda and Alan
My sympathies to you and your family. I will miss David’s reports, his positiveness and bet he’s smiling down on the Notts Forest v. Brighton result today!
Gordon B
It’s sad news but I’m glad you were all with him and it was comfortable, he deserved that. He will be missed not least for his regular blogs which were always informative, amusing and thought provoking. He would have liked to know that our Diamonds Dazzlers bridge team (of which I’m a member) is in with a good chance of winning his trophy again this year although we have to wait a little longer for the full count.
My thoughts are with you all.
Dora
I was so sorry that David has died. I appreciated that he was very poorly but found it incredible that he was still such a good bridge player and I shall miss playing with him. We went back a long way and were partners in winning the team cup twice.
We now play the same competition but it is now called the David Shore cup so he will be remembered for a long time to come. I never ceased to be amazed at how he managed to play.
My love to Doreen. Please let her know that I am thinking of her.
Take care,
Margaret H
I was so sorry to hear the news about David and am sure it’s still come as an awful loss despite knowing the likely outcome from such a devastating diagnosis. I send my sincerest condolences to you and your family, and your Mum Doreen especially.
I had the pleasure of working with David at South East Water where I was Head of Communications – both pre and post merger with Mid Kent Water. Your Dad and I worked very closely on all things water operations – normally when the proverbial had hit the fan – including two regional droughts. He was one of my go-to media trained spokespeople because he was such a safe pair of hands – absolutely knew his stuff and never got flustered, even with that awful Kay Burley from Sky News! I have very many fond memories of me and your Dad standing at a depleted reservoir or at a treatment works working on the messages to deliver to camera. He was also an excellent creative writer – as demonstrated by his MND blogs – and he was one colleague I could rely on to improve my writing and my grammar! I never minded quite honestly as I always learnt something from him, and he patiently explained the complex answers to my basic questions in a way that even I could grasp.
He was also very supportive of me introducing an annual press fishing day at Arlington Reservoir where we used to host local/regional/angling trade press at the trout fishery there. Quite honestly it was a great day out and good fun rather than being work and he was always very good at giving me one of his caught trout when he had spare. Your Dad was always the first to sign up and loved his time trout fishing in the name of building media relations and I shall remember him casting away when I next visit the reservoir (my husband currently works there as a ranger so I often walk round it).
I do hope all goes well for the service itself and you’ll all be in my thoughts on the 25th – I will raise a glass to your Dad from Sussex.
Jane G
David Gordon Shore 1952 – 2025