Sisters pay tribute as one of first triplets at Fairfield General dies

Beverly and Susan Pilling and their brother David were the first triplets to be born at Fairfield General Hospital on January 7 1962.

The family lived with their mother, Violet, on Bell Lane, before moving to Hazel Avenue where Beverly and Susan still live today.

David Pilling, one third of the first triplets born at Fairfield General Hospital in 1962 (Image: Susan Pilling)

As children, the siblings were very close and David’s sisters say they received a lot of attention for being triplets. Susan and Beverly even wore a name tag as pupils at East Ward Community Primary School, to help their classmates and teachers tell them apart.

David died on Christmas Eve and his family and friends will attend his funeral at Bury Cemetery Chapel next week, before celebrating his life at a wake at Bury Football Club's Gigg Lane.

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Susan, David and Beverly as babies (Image: Susan Pilling)

Susan and Beverly say they will remember their brother as a "fun and mischievous" man who loved rock music and martial arts – especially Bruce Lee.

Beverly said: “He made us laugh, he’d always put things in out hoods or pockets and laugh. He liked going out in the summer and he liked his wildlife and bird watching.

The triplets as schoolchildren, featuring Susan and Beverly's name tags (Image: Susan Pilling)

“He liked his rowing and his art. He liked to draw he drew wildlife and birds and they were really good.

“He was kind-hearted and soft and he always had a smile on his face.”

Over the years, the Bury Times wrote about the siblings on many occasions when they had a milestone birthday, which the trio always tried to spend together. The newspaper also visited their school when the triplets turned 16.

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As children, the triplets were very close (Image: Susan Pilling)

Susan said: "The Bury Times came to our school when were were 16, everyone said 'why have you got the Bury Times coming in?' Because we're triplets! We had to explain."

Beverly and Susan agreed that the relationship between the three siblings was unique.

She said: “We were so close when we were young and we had some good times.”

The triplets appeared in the Bury Times on many occasions, including on their 50th birthday (Image: Susan Pilling)

After leaving school David worked as a labourer, working on the construction of Ashmeadow School, which is now part of Hazel Wood High School.

The sisters say David struggled after the death of their mother in 2001 and eventually moved away from Hazel Avenue. However, the trio still spent time together along with their older brother, Roy, who died in 2008, and their children.

Susan said: “He always played silly games with us.

The triplets on their 60th birthday (Image: Susan Pilling)

“We used to go on walks up to Ramsbottom, we used to just make butties and go for walks.”

Despite some struggles in later life, David's sisters will remember him as having a "a good smile and a laugh". 

At his funeral, David’s family will honour his love of Bruce Lee by playing the theme music from one of Lee’s most famous films, Enter the Dragon, and everyone will be wearing Guns ‘n’ Roses t-shirts, one of David’s favourite bands.

He will be buried at Bury Cemetery alongside his mother Violet. David is survived by his sisters, Susan and Beverley and his children, Shannon, Scott and Nicky.

He is also survived by Susan's daughter Louise and her daughters Leia and Lilly, as well as Beverly's daughter, Sarah and his former partner, Anne-Marie, who remained close with him.