PORTSMOUTH — John King, the town’s long-time director of the Portsmouth Emergency Management Agency, died on Aug. 27 after a brief illness.

Town Administrator Richard Rainer, Jr. shared the sad news with the Town Council Monday night. At the council’s Aug. 27 meeting, Mr. Rainer reported that Mr. King had fallen seriously ill and was placed in hospice care at St. Anne’s Hospital in Fall River. He passed away that same day.

Mr. King was the town’s EMA director since 2012, Mr. Rainer said in a prepared statement released Tuesday.

“He demonstrated exemplary leadership of the town’s Emergency Operations Center and a volunteer staff during numerous storms and other crisis events,” the administrator stated. “John worked tirelessly to improve the town’s emergency preparedness policies and procedures that coordinate the town’s planned responses to natural and man-made incidents. 

“His dedication to duty was emphasized by his personal management of Portsmouth’s emergency response measures over many years of dedicated service. An expert in his field and an excellent communicator, John dedicated himself to professionally serving the public in times of our greatest need.”

A memorial service for Mr. King will be held Sunday, Sept. 16, at Portsmouth United Methodist Church, 2732 East Main Road. There will be a short period starting at 3 p.m. to quickly pay respects, with the service beginning at 4 p.m.