Sadness after death of Strangford man

Sadness after death of Strangford man

25 March 2015

A STRANGFORD farmer who died in a tragic accident has been remembered by hundreds of mourners as an industrious man who was highly respected in his community.

Richard Sharvin, who was in his 70s, died in an accident involving his tractor on his Tullyratty townland farm on Friday.

His death has stunned the local community who have rallied around his wife Nora and their daughters Catherine and Fionnuala.

The was a large turnout at Mr. Sharvin’s funeral mass yesterday afternoon at St. Patrick’s Church in Saul with the adjacent school allowing children home early to facilitate hundreds of mourners.

They listened as Fr Derek Kearney described Mr Sharvin as an “industrious and managerial” farmer who had an imaginative approach to farming.

Fr Kearney said Mr Sharvin ensured his crops and animals were of great quality and worked hard to maintain a good farm.

Having farmed in the area for many years, he said he was always highly regarded. He will be sadly missed by his family and by the wider community,” said Fr Kearney.

“The farming community has been affected and shocked by his death.”

South Down MP Margaret Ritchie said she too was saddened by the death of Mr Sharvin, who she described as a “pillar of the community.”

“Mr Sharvin was well respected and liked by everyone in the Strangford area,” she said. “He is an absolute gentleman and a very good farmer.”

Councillors Cadogan Enright and Naomi Baillie also offered their condolences to the Sharvin family.

Ms Baillie said Mr Sharvin, known as Dick, was a well known local character.

“It is very tragic to be hearing of another farm death, but all the more poignant because Strangford is such a tight knit community and the Sharvin family s very well respected,” she said.

Mr Enright, who was at a meeting of local farmers on Saturday, said many had spoken about how busy this time of year is for the industry.

“There is so much work to be done. Farmers are often getting up at dawn and working until nightfall and accidents can happen,” he said. “Mr Sharvin’s death is a tragic loss and my sympathies are with his family.”

Although it is not yet clear how Mr Sharvin died, the Health and Safety Executive has confirmed it is investigating the accident.

Local farmer Graham Furey, who is involved in the local Ulster Farmers’ Union, said the union had taken a great interest in farm safety following a number of serious accidents since 2010.

He said Mr Sharvin’s death had had a great impact on the farming community whose thoughts and sympathies were with the Sharvin family.

“The community is rallying around the family,” he said. “Close neighbours will know his farming routine and will undoubtedly be helping.

“The risks of farm work have always been there but in recent years we seem to be hearing of more deaths. Mr Sharvin’s death has stopped farmers in their tracks. Our sympathies are with his family following another traffic farm incident.”

UFU President Ian Marshall echoed Mr Furey’s sympathies and said the news of any farming accident or farm death was always felt very deeply by the farming community. 

“Unfortunately, the situation is a tragic reminder that farms are busy workplaces and can sometimes be dangerous,” he said.