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Nevin Spence Obituary
Ulster Rugby confirmed Sunday the "tragic death" of Spence, who died along with his father and brother after falling into a slurry tank at a farm in Hillsborough in the Northern Irish region of County Down on Saturday.
Spence's sister, Emma, is recovering in hospital from the effects of fume inhalation. She and Nevin were reportedly attempting to rescue their brother Graham and father Noel, who had already fallen into the tank.
"Nevin was a wonderful player but also a wonderful person," Ulster Rugby chief executive Shane Logan said. "He was well liked by everyone who knew him and his loss will be deeply felt by his teammates and everyone at Ulster Rugby."
A tough-tackling center, Spence never played a test match for Ireland's senior team but was called up to its training squad during last season's Six Nations competition. He featured for Ireland in a match against the Barbarians in May.
He played three times for Ireland Wolfhounds, the country's reserve side, and was a regular in the Ulster squad, making 42 appearances in total.
Rory McIlroy, the top-ranked golfer from Northern Ireland, and New Zealand flyhalf Dan Carter were among the leading figures in the world of sport to send tributes to Spence.
"Just heard the tragic news of Nevin Spence and his family. Makes you cherish every day you have on this Earth," McIlroy said in a Twitter post.
Spence, who was named Young Player of the Year at the Irish Rugby Union Players' Association awards last year, played for Ulster on Friday in a reserve-team game against Munster in Belfast.
"Nevin was an outstanding young player which was evident from his progression through the representative ranks and the game has been robbed of a very talented young man," Irish Rugby Football Union president Billy Glynn said in a statement.
Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
74 Entries
bernadette heavey
September 26, 2012
my heart aches for the family of nevin , lets pray that no one suffered.
September 26, 2012
May god b with you and your family
September 24, 2012
May the God of heaven be with the family at this trying time.
jeanne hill
September 24, 2012
bravest man you will never be forgotten a great player and son and brother,heaven is blessed by your presence.
How you can show support
jessica warren
September 23, 2012
Thoughts prayers and love in this very difficult time.
SHORTY KOPPELMAN
September 23, 2012
You are now with our Lord Jesus Christ..The Koppelman's loved and adored you
Beverly Van Citters
September 23, 2012
May the love and care of others encircle you in your time of loss. Know that many unknown people send thoughts and prayers to the Spence Family in this time of tragedy.
Kathi
September 23, 2012
May you find comfort in knowing that many people around the world are saddened by the magnitude of the loss you are faced with. God Bless you and hold you during this difficult and tragic time.
September 23, 2012
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. May the peace of God that excels all thought bring you comfort during this most difficult time. Phillipians 4:7
Nina Collins
September 23, 2012
May God be with you at your time of need
anna quinlan
September 23, 2012
To the Spence family,
May God comfort you all on the loss of your loved ones, What a beautiful tribute by the sister. You are in my daily prayers.
Sr. Anna Quinlan
Nenagh Ireland
Sheila Smith
September 23, 2012
So sad. God bless the family as they grieve their loss. Rest in Peace Nevin.
Donald Chevalier
September 22, 2012
So sorry to read of this tragic accident
and the loss of such great talent. Prayers to the family and may you find peace in your days ahead.
terell rogers
September 22, 2012
Sorry 4tha lost.....
September 22, 2012
You have my deepest sympathy. May good memories provide solace for your family during this challenging time; and may God provide you with the assurance that you will see your loved one again in paradise. John 17:3
james thomse
September 21, 2012
sorry for your lost to the spence family.
B O
September 21, 2012
My condolences to the Spence family. May the God of all ccomfort and tender mercies fill your hearts during this time of sorrow.(2cor.1:3).
MARY HOLMES
September 21, 2012
DEAR SPENCE FAMILY,
MY DEEPEST SYPATHY IS WITH ALL OF YOU AT THIS TIME. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AT THIS VERY DIFFICULT TIME. ALWAYS REMEMBER THE MEMORIES YOU HOLD CLOSE TO YOUR HEARTS AND THEY WILL ALWAYS BE NEAR.
YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS....
Robin Williams
September 21, 2012
Though I, did not know this family my heart goes out to the surviving sister Emma and I, pray for a fast recovery for herself as well.Emma know that god does not make mistakes your loved ones are now in the hands of their father in heaven.
Betty Fowler
September 21, 2012
09/20/2012
To the Family of Nevin Spence, my sincere sympathy is with you. I to lost a child in death, so i know that your sorrow is great. Cheer up because very soon you will see you loved ones because they are just in a deep sleep, waiting for God to call their name and come out, and they will wake up and answer that call. (John11:43,44) So please put faith in the true God.(Psalms.83:18) If you need comfort i am but an E-mail away.
[email protected]
Jane Crawford
September 21, 2012
Terribly sad news - heartbreaking.
jay chasteen
September 20, 2012
so tragic, im deeply sorry for your family's loss.
Kenneth Agnew
September 20, 2012
May God bless you and your family. Someimes we know not why,but to thank Him for what time we had. I'm so sorry.
Teresa McLeod
September 20, 2012
I am so sorry for your loss.... Peace to you and your family.....
September 20, 2012
May the "God of all comfort" be with you.
Sincerely,
Carl J Sentell Jr
September 20, 2012
Sorry to hear the lost of love ones,May God bless you all in this time of lost.
pat butler
September 19, 2012
Such sorrow for your family to bear....God be with you
September 19, 2012
As a Northern Ireland native and a rugby fan I am truly sorry for your loss. I heard about this tragedy from my sister who lives in Newcastle. Your story has made worldwide news and I hope that all the prayers and thoughts help you in some way. We pray for your daughter/ sister who is still critally ill.
Philippa (Seattle)
Linda G
September 19, 2012
So sorry for your loss. Our prayers go out to your famiy.
Evelyn Cummings
September 19, 2012
Many prays go to the family
Gary Johnson
September 19, 2012
God
bless you all.
Brenda
September 19, 2012
I am so sorry to hear of such a loss. Your family is in my prayers.
KEN&MARY O'DANIEL
September 19, 2012
WE ARE SENDING OUR LOVE,PRAYERS,&CONDOLENCES TO THE SPENCE FAMILY, FRIENDS,FANS,&ALL WHO KNEW NEVIN.
The Brunson'
September 19, 2012
Our deepest condolences are with you as you grieve. May God be with you to bring you comfort and peace through this difficult time. (Isaiah 61:2)
Barbara
September 19, 2012
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
T B
September 19, 2012
It is very hard and incredibly difficult to comprehend the loss of such a young man. My condolences.
September 19, 2012
My deepest sympathy to the Spence family. Our Heavenly Father is a refuge and strength for us during our distresses. Psalms 46:1.
September 19, 2012
So sorry for your loss,you are in my prayers,Emma get well to tell Momma.Debbie Louisville,Ky.
September 19, 2012
Spence Family, Everyone is at a lost for words. Losing 3 persons in a family is a lot to bear. What a tragedy! We send out so many prayers for you. Also prayers for those recovering from this accident. Much love to all of you.
September 18, 2012
Psalms 55:22
Kelly McNicholas- Spenard
September 18, 2012
Tragic is an understatement. My prayers are with this family and the country as well.
Annette
September 18, 2012
I cannotimagine what your family is going through. Just know thoughts and prayers are for you from all over the world. God bless.
September 18, 2012
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Colleen
September 18, 2012
This just brought me to tears. My condolences to the family & friends of Nevin, his brother, and father. May they rest in peace being your guardian angels forever. Sending prayers from the USA.
Cynthia
September 18, 2012
To the Spence family.So So sad about your sorrow.May the God of comfort and peace be with your family.May he comfort you in the days ahead.Psalms46:1.
Tomica
September 18, 2012
My condolences to the family of Nevin Spence.May the experience of the widow's son in Nain bring you hope and comfort at this time of sorrow. Luke 7:11-17.
September 18, 2012
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
September 18, 2012
I'm so sorry for your loss. I know God will help you through all these difficult times. Psalms 46:1
Carol Campbell
September 18, 2012
So tragic! RIP the family that was taken to soon!
September 18, 2012
My prayers are with the Spence family. May God be with you!
Tabitha Isaiah 25:8
September 18, 2012
What a tragedy indeed. I am so sorry to the Spence family. To Mrs. Spence I am deeply saddened for your loss. During this most difficult time may all peer into God's word for comfort. May you also ponder over the wonderful memories made and shared.
September 18, 2012
I am so sorry to hear of this. Unbelievable tragedy
Amelia Shallcross
September 18, 2012
My condolences to the Spence family. May God hold you tightly in his arms and comfort you during this great loss. I will keep you In my prayers.
L & D Kettering
September 17, 2012
So very sorry for all the family lost and those left to mourn.
September 17, 2012
I wish Emma the best in her recovery. My heart goes out to Mrs. Spence. May the heartfelt words of others help you endure at this sad time. 1 Thessalonians 5:14
kathy Fischer
September 17, 2012
So sorry for your loss God bless all of you. Kathy Fischer
Roger Owens
September 17, 2012
We pray that God bring comfort to the family during this terrible ordeal. May they R.I.P.
Shelly Krise
September 17, 2012
My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. Sorry to hear such a tragic accident.
Lane Family
September 17, 2012
So sad, tragic, prayers to family, coworkers, fans..beloved rugby player..
Barbara M
September 17, 2012
I am deeply sorry for your extreme LOSS! My deepest condolences to the family. My prayers go out to you all and especially to Nevin's sister at this time. May the God of tender mercies and comfort be with you all during this time of sorrow.
Mechille Howe
September 17, 2012
All my Prayers to family & friends
Bobbie
September 17, 2012
My prayers go out to all the family.
James Willner
September 17, 2012
May the eternal light shine upon them......
September 17, 2012
Prayers and thoughts with the family during this difficult time and the days ahead.
Lorraine Denson
September 17, 2012
Friends of our God, though they may pass away, will never be forsaken.
All those asleep, who in God's memory stay,
From death He will awaken
Then we'll come to see, all that life can be" Paradise eternally!
John 6:40
John 11:11,43
James 4:14
September 17, 2012
God Bless this family with faith and guide them through their loss with His abiding love.
September 17, 2012
Deepest sympathy to the Spence
mary holmes
September 17, 2012
The loss if a loved one can be overwhelming,please allow God's thoughts to bring your family comfort, through his inspired word, the scriptures holds a hope for the future, there will be no more death, nor mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore the former things have passed away, God's promise, may you have comfort and peace that comes from the God of the heavens.
September 17, 2012
Please allow us to extend our heartfelt sympathy. The Bible teaches that "God is Love" (1John 4:16)Surely a God of Love and he cares about you and your family at this time of grief. Take comfort in that Love you are in our Prayers.
M Price
September 17, 2012
How tragic. They all died together trying to help each other. That is love. May they all rest in peace together.
Glenda Acord
September 17, 2012
Such a tradgedy... so sorry for the family and teammates...seems as though he was a great player and person... God bless all of his countrymen and family. Thinking of all with thoughts and prayers.
rest in peace
September 17, 2012
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