Family's tribute at Spence funerals

Published Wednesday, 19 September 2012
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Noel, Graham and Nevin Spence, who died tragically as they tried to save each other in a slurry tank accident at their farm in Hillsborough, Co Down, have been remembered as "gentlemen, hard-working best friends".

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Friends, relatives and Ulster Rugby stars past and present were among the mourners who gathered at Ballynahinch Baptist Church for the funerals of the father and sons on Wednesday.

Those who came to pay their respects to the Spence family filled the church and gathered outside the building to hear the service.

Emma Spence, who pulled her 58-year-old father from the slurry tank, and tried to rescue Graham, 30, and 22-year-old Ulster player Nevin, was admitted to hospital after Saturday's accident.

She was accompanied by her sister Laura, their mother Essie and Graham's wife Andrea at the funeral service, where she paid an emotional tribute to the men.

"Dad. He was the one you probably saw taking up half the Drumlough Road with the tractor.

"He is the one that greeted you with a thump on the arm. He is the one who christened you with a new nickname no matter who you were.

"To me he was the one sitting at the kitchen table with his coffee made in only mum's best china cup listening to my every worry and telling me the truth whether I wanted to hear it or not," she said.

They were gentlemen, hardworking men, they were not perfect, but they were genuine. They were best friends. They were just ordinary - but God made them extraordinary.

Emma Spence

Graham, a father of two, she said was "driven by the thought of improving farming" and was "unashamedly Nevin's biggest fan...a gentle giant [who] doted on his two children".

"He is the one who came alive when he talked about farming.

"To me he is the one who protected me as I grew up. To me he is looking at me when I look at Nathan and I look at Georgia."

Miss Spence also spoke of her younger brother, 'Wee Nev', the rising Ulster star who could have played for Ireland and was given the nickname 'Superstar' in jest.

"He is the one who did not love the limelight but handled it like a pro," she said.

"To me he is the baby. To me he is the one mum had the organic blueberries and prize-winning steak ready for when he called."

Members of the Ulster Rugby team carried Nevin's shirt-draped coffin into and out of the church.

Andrew Trimble, Chris Henry, Paul Marshall and Luke Marshall joined former teammates Willie Faloon and Ian Whitten for the task. Injury prevented Paddy McAllister - one of Spence's closest friends in the Ulster set-up - from taking his place as a pall-bearer.

Coach Mark Anscombe and director of rugby David Humphries joined star players Rory Best, Stephen Ferris, Paddy Wallace, Johann Muller in attending the service, along with players from Ballynahinch Rugby Club and other Irish provinces.

Current Irish coaches Eddie O'Sullivan and Declan Kidney and notable figures, including Tyrone GAA boss Mickey Harte, also attended.

Pastor Rodney Stout said the men had left a "positive legacy", but added that Mr Spence would be "horrified at the thought of the attention that he and his family have attracted".

Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt, SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell, Sinn Féin Agriculture Minister Michelle O'Neill and DUP ministers Arlene Foster and Edwin Poots - a close family friend - all attended the funeral service, as did pupils from both Dromore and Wallace High, where Nevin and Graham went to school.

Thousands of tributes have already been left for the Spence family, including in a book of condolences at Ravenhill Rugby ground.

© UTV News
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12 Comments
Amy Spence in co.down wrote (244 days ago):
My thoughts and prays for with the Spence family at this terrible time and hope that are God will strengthen this family in every way and hope they will cope through every day and hour.......bless this family xx
Sheena in Maghera wrote (245 days ago):
My thoughts and prayers go to your family at this tough time x
Paul Jackson in Belfast wrote (245 days ago):
I could not believe the news after the friday result. A very sad day for everyone in NI. Such a huge loss to Ravenhill and what could have been for the game of rugby. My words are only a support, to the family. May this never happen again, action/help/to all families working in a farming envirmoment. Prayers and wishes from my family to you at this time . East Belfast Family.
Julia Gibson in Lisburn wrote (246 days ago):
The Spence family have my prayers and may they take comfort from the fact that all three men are absent from the body and present with the Lord. God is our refuge and strengh a very present help in trouble Psalm 46 verse 1. From a fellow believer, praise the Lord when we all see each other in Heaven there will be no more death or tears and no more sad goodbyes. to God be the Glory
jackie in belfast wrote (246 days ago):
Absolutely taken aback by Emma,what a heroic,brave daughter and sister!You have done your whole family proud by your words and the love that just flows from you !
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