The life and work of journalist and educator David Diaz was celebrated Thursday, on the eve of what would've been his 83rd birthday.

Diaz died in March .

Friends and colleagues turned out to remember David, who helped tell the story of New York from the 1970s into this century.

His legacy was front and center at Riverside Church in Morningside Heights, where he was remembered as a true New Yorker who never lost touch with the soul of the city.

"Not only was he a reporter's reporter, he was a human being's human being," former news executive Joe Coscia, Sr. said.

Coscia recalled David's professionalism and humanity during the nightmare of 9/11.

"He was such a mentor"

Cindy Hsu joined CBS News New York in 1993, just as Diaz came over after many years at NBC.

"In my 20s, and he was

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