Tributes have been paid to a Presbyterian minister who has become another Northern Ireland victim of coronavirus.
Rev Ivan McKnight (71) died at Belfast City Hospital on Monday and has been described as a “Godly gentle spirit” by a fellow minister who has known him since their college days together.
Starting his ministry as assistant at Ballysillan Presbyterian in 1984, Rev McKnight moved on to serve at Aghalone and Garvaghy Presbyterian between 1987-89.
He then spent four years in Donegal where he served as minister at Newtowncunningham, Ray and Second Ray Presbyterian Churches before returning to his native Belfast, where he had been a pupil at Methodist College, to serve as Minister at Ballygomartin until 1993.
More recently he served in Dromore, Co Down, though he had retired.
He would have celebrated his 72nd birthday on April 11 and leaves a wife, Yvonne, and sons Charles and Stephen.
It’s understood Rev McKnight was admitted to Belfast City Hospital last week and on April 3 told family and friends he was very tired, weak and breathless.
Rev Steve Stockman, Minister at Fitzroy Presbyterian in Belfast, said he had met Rev McKnight as a student.
“He was a mature student when we met,” said Rev Stockman. “Even then he was a gentle, jovial and positive man.
“More and more it’s starting to hit home that we are no longer looking at statistics. Now we’re seeing people we know taken from us, our friends and our family.
“I am so heartbroken. All my remembrances are of a warm, gracious, Godly gentle spirit who was always a joy to be in the company of.”
Report courtesy The Belfast Telegraph
DraggedImage.9d1c9b9bce2b4bad828ec358180821c2.png