A CO Antrim minister and school teacher has died suddenly just weeks before the first anniversary of the death of his wife in a car crash.
Rev Trevor Kelly from Ballymena (55) was described as a "gentle soul" who had a "genuine care for people".
The father-of-two took ill on October 11 and died on Saturday in the intensive care unit of Antrim Area Hospital.
His death comes less than 12 months after his wife Aurelia (54) lost her life in a car crash in Ballymoney. A niece of well-known storyteller Liz Weir, her car was involved in a collision with a lorry on Frosses Road.
Tributes were paid to Rev Kelly, who was the Church of Ireland curate at Drummaul, Duneane and Ballyscullion and a teacher at Hazelwood Integrated College.
The Church of Ireland diocese of Connor described him as "well-known and much-respected".
Right Rev George Davison, the Bishop of Connor, said he was "devastated at the news".
"Trevor was the epitome of a Christian pastor, a man of sincere faith with a gentle soul and genuine care for people," he said.
"His warmth and friendship were appreciated by all who knew him, in the church and in his ‘daytime’ job as a teacher in Hazelwood Integrated College.
"Whilst we are all struggling to take in the fact that Trevor’s death comes less than a year since his beloved wife Aurelia died in a tragic motor accident, I’m praying that each of us will find comfort in the knowledge that they have gone ahead of us into God’s new kingdom, where tears and sorrow are banished and all things are made new in Christ."
In a statement, Hazelwood Integrated College said "sadly, a tragedy has happened in our school community".
"Our esteemed colleague and senior teacher, Reverend Trevor Kelly has died suddenly after a short illness," it said.
"This is a tragic loss to Trevor’s family and to our school community. Trevor was one of our most long-standing members of staff having worked at the college for the past 30 years.
"He was a member of the college senior leadership team and head of business studies and public services, as well as serving as the college chaplain.
"The entire Hazelwood community is devastated at Trevor’s sudden passing.
"To assist in supporting our staff and pupils through this time of grief, trained staff from the Education Authority’s Critical Incident Response Team have been assigned to the school to provide support."
Numerous tributes to Rev Kelly have been posted online with many describing him as a "total gentleman" as well as a "dear colleague and friend".
A service of thanksgiving will be held in St Colmanell’s Parish Church, Ahoghill tomorrow at 12.30pm followed by burial in the adjoining churchyard.
He is survived by his children Andrew and Rebecca and wider family circle.
