Hundreds pack out church for funeral of 'Pilkington man' David Burrows

David, from Blackbrook, was riding a pedal bike on Islands Brow, close to its junction with Hinckley Road on Friday, December 1, when he was injured on the road.

The 59-year-old was taken to hospital for treatment but died of his injuries.

His funeral was held at St Mary’s Blackbrook, today, Thursday, January 11, where the crowds were so vast that people took up every pew on both floors and also in the side altar.

At the service by Father Dooley told mourners: “It’s nice to think that you are all here today not because of the way Dave died but because of the type of person he was, who clearly had an influence on many people in this life and was taken too soon.

“I met Dave when his mum died and have seen Dave walking home here to his home on Chain Lane and there was always something nice about him which is why there are so many people here today.

“I’ve been told that Dave was very proud to be a Pilkington man and loved Cowley Hill and was obviously a very popular person.

“His coffin has music notes on it and though I believe his favourite was Motorhead, which isn’t to my taste [which was met with laughter from mourners], he certainly enjoyed it and I believe he had many records and he loved spending time with his nieces, particularly Amelia.

“He enjoyed his work and never had a bad word to say about anybody and loved his rock music [again followed by laughter from those in attendance].”

Father Dooley went on to explain how despite David’s tragic death, his family have instead focused on thanking the emergency services and those who tried to help him.

He said: “It was a Friday morning when he was going to work on his bike and what struck me when speaking to his family was they didn’t speak too much about the accident.

"They instead spoke of their gratitude to the taxi driver who came to Dave’s aid, and the paramedics who came to his aid and the police officers who secured the area and took charge of things.

“I wonder what Dave would have said this morning looking out at all of you here today, together to celebrate his life, yes to mourn him but more to remember his life.”

A colleague from Pilkington’s Glass stood up and shared memories of Dave, calling him a “diamond of a bloke, honest with good morals and very humble”, recalling how when anything went wrong he would say "let’s go Wetherspoons".

He described how the warehouse at Cowley Hill always played Smooth FM, but in Dave’s office it was always Rock FM before adding that the true love of his life was his family.

David’s niece Amelia decided during the service to say a few words, delivering a heartbreaking tribute to her uncle, who she described as her ‘best friend’.

She said: “Thank you for all being here to say goodbye to Dave, we wanted to give him the send-off he deserves.

“I honestly have never felt heartbreak like this before. He was always there to cheer me up when I felt down and always up for a bit of gossip in the garden putting the world to rights, always happy to make me a cup of tea when I came home from college or school and going to Lidl and getting me sticky toffee pudding and custard and his vegetarian sausages.

“He loved taking me on a walk to see the bluebells and telling me what St Helens was like in your day.

“You’re my best friend and you will always be my best friend.

“Thank you for showing me love and support for my entire life.

“It upsets me to think you aren’t going to be here to watch me grow up but I know you’re now another one of my guardian angels.

“There won’t be a day I don’t think about you and I hope they have vegetarian options for you up there.”

Floral tributes on the coffin, which had music notes and a cyclist etched into it, included a bicycle, and flowers spelling out ‘Brother’ and ‘Uncle’.

His funeral included a burial at St Helens Cemetery for family only and a wake at the Unison Social Club on Bishop Road.

Investigation

A 60-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman from the St Helens area were arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of a road collision after the crash.

The man has since been released under investigation and the woman has been bailed pending further inquiries.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or captured anything on CCTV or dashcam is asked to contact SCIU on (0151) 777 5747, or email SCIU@merseyside.police.uk. Alternatively DM @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 23001212020.