Anthony, Anne-Marie and Andrew

ANTHONY, Anne-Marie and Andrew Clarke are triplets, but share different birth dates. Anthony was born at 11.50 am on February 9, 1945, Anne-Marie followed at midnight and Andrew at 12.10 am February 10. Celebration of the 60th birthday of the three last children born to Albert and Marjorie Clarke at Norfolk Street, Belmont, started on Carnival Sunday, February 6, and will continue throughout the year. The couple already had six children, four of whom are now deceased, while Albert had four older children from his first wife, Juanita.  The triplets birth certificates may read the 9th and 10th but Mama Clarke chose to celebrate the birthdays on February 10. How does one describe the Clarke triplets who at age 60 are active and healthy, and still playing tricks on each other. All three have a great sense of humour, which came from their father.

The thing which strikes you most is the love which emanates from these three individuals, not only for each other, their families and friends but for all human beings.  Three of their older siblings have been “religious,” Fr Albert Clarke and Sr Paul Clarke are still alive, Fr Hilary Clarke is deceased. “Mama took us to church every single morning of life when we were growing up at Belle Eau Road, there were no options, and we knew every Novena for each month of the year,” said the triplets. Anthony has been married to Mary (nee Welch) for 37 years, they have three daughters and eight grandchildren, their youngest daughter has produced twins.  Anne-Marie has been married to Anthony Rojas for 36 years, they have two sons and two daughters, and seven grandchildren, two more are on the way.  “He was really our brother first until we handed him over to Anne and he became a brother-in-law,” joked Anthony and Andrew, who incidentally are identical in looks.

Andrew was married to Cassandra for 33 years until her passing three years ago.  This union produced two daughters and one son and two grandchildren. The triplets however remain very close and are in touch with each other at least ten times per day. “We were very, very close to Mama and on January 24, the 18th  anniversary of  her death just the three of us alone went to dinner at Jenny’s and had a ball reminiscing.” Although Anne-Marie is sometimes left out as the boys are often taken for twins, the bond is strong and Anthony relates that when the three were moving from Miss Corbie’s pre-school in Pelham Street to Belmont Boys Intermediate and Providence Girls’ Intermediate: “Anne-Marie couldn’t handle the separation so Mr De Four, the principal of the boys school allowed her to go to school with us for a while, she was the first girl to attend Belmont Boys.” 

Anne-Marie eventually moved on to Holy Name Convent and the two boys to St Mary’s College where the brothers were able to confuse the teachers who never knew who was who. “For that matter,” says Anne-Marie, “daddy never knew the difference between them until the day he died and just would say ‘one of you all’ when he wanted them.” “Do you know how many times Andrew took licks for me at St Mary’s” said Anthony.  “One day I got several  billets within the space of five or six hours.  After I got strokes in both palms and on my rear there was nowhere else to take it so I told Andrew to take the rest for me and he did it.” As a young man, Anthony sent Andrew to do his job for a day at West Indian Tobacco Company: “I told him to just follow John with whom I worked, whatever he does you do, and Andrew worked for me a whole day and nobody knew.”

One of the few “twin-empathy relationships” Anthony experienced occurred while he was on a two-year course in England.  “A particular day I turned to Mary and told her I am not feeling good. ‘Is it your head, stomach, hands,’ she asked.  I could not tell her what was wrong with me, for the entire day I was just not feeling myself.  I subsequently learned that at the same time and day, Andrew broke his hand playing football for Harvard in Trinidad.  This incident will live with me for the rest of my life.” Andrew has played cricket for St Mary’s, Harvard and Trinidad vs the MCC in 1968, and club football. While Anthony has played cricket and football for St Mary’s and football with several clubs.  Anne-Marie played club hockey. Anthony has always worked in the field of human resources, and in retirement continues on contract with Blue Waters. Andrew has completely retired from a career in marketing and sales.  Anne-Marie’s first and only job was at the Royal Bank: “I got married and started a family right away.

I read a lot and am an adoring grandmother. My two sons Nigel and Nicholas are lead singers with Orange Sky Rock/Reggae and have special plans to really celebrate the triplets 60th with friends and family later in the year.” “We were Cow and Gate babies LJ Williams sponsored us for years,” said the boys. “As children we wore our older brothers’ pants, we were not rich but made do with all the hand-me-downs.”  Anne-Marie was lucky: “my sister entered the convent at age 15.” The triplets who still play tricks on each other, are sure that laughter is the best medicine.  Their love of  Carnival led to the formation of  Burrokeets “in the Clarkes’ house at Belle Eau Road, Belmont.” Anthony, Anne-Marie and Andrew still argue a lot but are positive that “this is healthy, big families are like that.”  Their love for each other and their families is overwhelming.

Says Andrew, “when Cassandra died in January 2002, in my sorrow were it not for my two siblings and immediate family I would have gone mad.  For the 18 months that she lived after the diagnosis, my brother and sister came every day.”  And, says Anne-Marie: “I promised her to take care of her husband when she was dying and I am keeping my promise,” which could be forever since Andrew is firm that he will never, ever fall in love again and at this point is definite: “I will never get married in life again.”