2006: Obituaries
MaltaMedia remembers a number of people who passed away during 2006. Their lives made a significant impact on the Maltese way of life.
RICHARD AQUILINA
(Died: 9 January 2006)
Richard Aquilina was a footballer in the 1970s and 1980s.
Richie was born on 5th February 1952. He was discovered by Sliema Wanderers and played two seasons with the team in 1971-1972 and 1984-1985. He also played for Tarxien Rainbows, Melita, St Andrews and Qormi.
Aquilina played eight international matches for Malta. He scored Malta's opening goal against Greece (2-0) played on 23 February 1975 in the European Championship.
His brother Edward too was an active footballer for number of years, playing with Sliema Wanderers, Hibernians, and the Malta international team.
MARIO AZZOPARDI
(Died: 7 February 2006)
Mario Azzopardi was a member of the Union Press editorial staff and a composer of philharmonic band music.
He was born in Hamrun on 26 March 1961 to Charles and Mary neè Mizzi. He joined the Union Press as sub-editor for the Daily News in October 1979 at the tender age of 18. During the early 1980s he also served the Union Press in various clerical roles, including advertising as well the Generalk Work's Union finance office. In 1988 he became sub-editor for the Weekend Chronicle but within a few months he became the founding editor of the TV guide Antenna.
Mario edited the magazine for close to twenty years and in February 1997 he became Chief Sub-Editor for the daily newspaper l-orizzont in charge of international news, and all entertainment and television pages.
In his home town of Hamrun he was well known for his active participation in vaiour social organizations. First among these was the local Malta Labour Party Club where he started out as a member on the youth committee, Għaqda Żgħażagħ Soċjalisti, serving also as a member of the National Executive for the same. He was also Secretary of the Civic Club.
Music was a great love in his life. He was heavily involved in the St Gaetan Philharmonic Band Club as a musician as well as the club treasurer. He was also a key force in the founding of the band club's music school. During his tenure with the band club Azzopardi composed a number of marches, which have been enjoyed by other philharmonic associations all over the Maltese islands, as well as with Maltese social clubs in Australia and Canada.
In 1994 he was elected to the first Local Council in Hamrun, garnering enough votes for his seat from the first count of votes.
CHARLES ARRIGO
(Died: 13 February 2006)
Charles Arrigo was a Malta's foremost broadcaster for over 50 years.
He was born Charles Arrigo Azzopardi in Valletta on 1 April 1929. After his studies at the Lyceum and at Perugia University, in 1947 he became the first Maltese man employed by Refiffusion (Malta) Ltd as announcer. Worked for the company until 1975, after he was appointed producer of drama and documentaries in 1950. In 1971 he was promoted Assistant Head of Radio Programmes, and 3 years later he became Head of Drama and Documentaries.
After 1975 he remained with Xandir Malta, the national broadcasting company which took over from Rediffusion and in 1987 he was promoted to Deputy Head of Xandir Malta. When Xandir Malta was absorbed into Public Brodcasting Services Ltd in 1991 he was appointed executive board director and Manager of Television Malta.
Arrigo attended a BBC production course as announcer and newscaster on the BBC World Service in 1959 and returned to the BBC for training for televison in 1962. On his return to Malta he became the first Maltese person to appear on television, sharing television announcer duties with Mary Grech.
Throughout his career he was best known for his commentaries on state and religious occasions and he will always be remembered for his dramatized readings of Maltese novels, which he did throughout his life since 1949.
Charles Arrigo was also active in the local theatre scene, particularly with the Bristish Institute Players and The Atturi Theatre Group. He appeared as a soldier in the film The Malta Story (1953) as well as various television drama productions.
In 1995 Charles Arrigo was awarded the Midalja Għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika (MQR).
ANTHONY M. ABELA
(Died: 4 April 2006)
Anthony M. Abela was an associate professor of sociology and social policy at the University of Malta.
Anthony Abela graduated with B.A. (Hons) in Philosophy from the Royal University of Malta. He also received an S.T.B. from the Gregorian University in Rome, a Masters in theology from the Centre Sevres in Paris and an M.A. and a D.Phil. in sociology, respectively from the Loyola University of Chicago and the University of Oxford.
He was principal investigator of the European Values Study (Malta), member of the European Values Steering Committee (Tilburg) and served as evaluator and reviewer of social research projects for the European Commission. He was also Non-Governmental Maltese Expert on Poverty and Social Inclusion for the European Commission. For three years he was director of the Institute of Social Welfare at the University of Malta, having earlier served as professore aggiunto in sociology at the Gregorian University in Rome.
Prof. Abela's research interests included comparative European Values Studies, sociology of the family, sociology of religion, youth, gender, poverty and social policy.
His publications include: Transmitting Values in European Malta (1991), Changing Youth Culture in Malta (1992), Shifting Family Values (1994), Secularised Sexuality, Youth Values in a City-island (1998), Women and Men in the Maltese Islands (1998), Young Catholics at the New Millennium (2000), Values of Women and Men in the Maltese Islands: A comparative European Perspective (2001), Youth Participation in Voluntary Organisations and Women's Welfare in Society (2001).
JOE MAGRIN
(Died: 10 April 2006)
Joe Magrin was a projectionist at the Radio City Music Hall and a technical operator at Super One Radio and Television.
He was born in Vittoriosa and worked at the Malta Dockyards for most of his life. Magrin was a great film buff and regularly shared projection duties with John Fenech at Hamrun's Radio City Music Hall Cinema until it closed down in the early 1980s. In 1991 he dedicated much of his time to technical operations at Super One Radio and Television.
KALCIDON AGIUS
(Died: 24 May 2006)
Kalcidon Agius was a politician who served as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
He was born in Naxxar on 19 October 1917. Agius became active in national politics in 1951, winning a seat in parliament for the Malta Labour Party in the general elections of that year. In 1955 he held his second parliamentary seat after casual elections following the resignation of Dr. Joseph Flores. He won elected again in 1966 and 1971.
Between January 1978 and February 1982, Agius held served as speaker in the House of Representatives and was twice appointed acting President of the Republic. In 1979 he led a parliamentary delegation on official visits to China and Romania. After he retired from politics he served as Commissioner of Justice for two years.
Agius was also a prolific playwright whose works frequently appeared on radio and television in the heydays of Xandir Malta. Among those best remembered are Provli Lejn in-Nar (1975), Rikatt (1979), Boomerang (1980), Riperkussjonijiet (1981), Delitt fil-Kamra tal-Banju (1982).
In 1996 he was named Companion of the National Order of Merit (KOM).
Kalcidon Agius was married to Salvina Grech and had five children.
FRANS BALDACCHINO
(Died: 21 June 2006)
Frans Baldacchino, better known as Il-Budaj, was a popular folk singer.
He was born in Zejtun on 16 May 1943. Baldacchino emigrated to Australia when he was twelve years old. In his youth he developed a versatility in the two most popular forms of tradition Maltese folk sining, Għana tal-Fatt (storytelling) and Għana Spirtu Pront (improvisation).
Frans Baldacchino earned himself the nickname il-Budaj in the 1950s, when the Hungarian football team Honved visited Malta. The players included Puskas and Bodai, whose name got passed on to Baldacchino’s brother who also played football, and eventually was given to Frans.
After returning to Malta in the 1970s, he participated in many folklore festivals, both on a local and international level, singing in Canada, France, Libya, Greece and Tunisia. He was especially well received in Paris, where in 1992, accompanied by two two other singers and two guitarists, he gave four concerts to appreciative audiences. A CD was launched from these concerts. He enjoyed poetry and painting, practicing both in his free time. His writing has been published in Mrieżaq ta' Moħħi and Għana ta' Frans Baldacchino Il-Budja.
JOSEPH BALDACCHINO
(Died: 21 June 2006)
Joseph Baldacchino was a former army man and a parliamentarian with the Malta Labour Party.
He was born Joseph Mary Baldacchino in Valletta on 16 September 1922 and worked for the British Army's RAOC between 1941 and 1966.
Baldacchnio entered the political arena in 1951 when he was elected assistant secretary of the Gzira Labour Party Club. In 1959 he was elected to the National Executive Committee and appointed assistant secretary general until 1962.
After an unsuccessfully bid in the 1962 general elections he was victoriously elected in 1966, and retained his parliamentary seat in the 1971 and 1976 elections. Baldacchino was secretary and whip of the MLP parliamentary group in 1971. From November 1976 to November 1981 he served as Deputy Speaker in the House of Representatives. Between 1981 and 1987 he served as chairman of a committee for the working of the law courts.
Although he didn't manage to keep his seat after the 1981 election he was eventually co-opted back to parliament in 1986, following the death of Dr. Patrick Holland. He served as Speaker from February to July 1987.
Baldacchino married Violet Vella in 1947 and together they had a son, Charles.
ĠUŻE' CHETCUTI
(Died: 18 July 2006)
Ġuże' Chetcuti was one of Malta's most prolific 20th century authors.
He was born in Cospicua on 11 August 1914. Chetcuti studied at St Albert's Central School, Valletta and the Teachers College in Valletta. In 1936 he became a primary school teacher. As he work for government schools, in 1938 he was transfered to the editorial staff of the Central Information Office where he worked as translator and store officer for many years. During the war years he worked as radio announcer, reading news bulletins he wrote or translated along with his colleagues at the Information Office.
In 1956 Ġuże' Chetcuti returned to the Education Department and taught Maltese at the Boy's Lyceum unil he retired in 1974. He also lectured in Maltese at the Mater Admirabilis Training College and acted as a member of various Maltese examining boards.
Chetcuti became actively involved in the Akkademja tal-Malti in 1937, serving as secretary between 1939 and 1948, vice president from 1990 to 1992, and president of its sub-committee for orthographic matters for many years. He was also a member of the Malta Drama League, and co-founder of the Xirka għat-Tixrid tal-Ilsien Malti (Association for Spreading the Maltese Language), which was established in 1939.
Chetcuti is best known for his novels L-Isqaq (voted best novel of the year 1962), and Nirien ta Mħabba (1967),along with plays Il-Kerrejja (1963) and 1919 (1986). His many other publications include novels Id-Dawl tal-Ħajja (1957), Imħabba u Mewt (1961), It-Tnalja (1963), Qabel Telgħet ix-Xemx (1987), Manwela (1993), and It-Teżor ta Dun Natal (1996), poetry collections Poeżiji (1945), Melita Invicta (1945), and Il-Ħajja Nzul u Tlajja (1964), and plays Il-Kerrejja (1963), Imħuħ Morda (1965), and Manwela (1979).
Some of his works have been translated into other languages. L-Isqaq was translated into English as An Alley In Malta (1971) by Maud Ruston, and into Arabic by Ibrahim Irnigami (1978). Ruston also translated It-Tnalja as The Snare (1978).
Ġuże' Chetcuti was awarded the Citta' di Valletta in 1986, and was appointed member of the National Order of Merit (MOM) in 1996.
ALEXANDER BONNICI
(Died: 26 July 2006)
Fr. Alexander Bonnici was one of Malta's most eminent religious historians.
He was born Paul Bonnici in Floriana on 28 January 1936 to Salvatore and Rita nee Galea who already had three daughters. In 1942 his family was evacuated to Gozo and he started attending the local primary school in Kercem. Like many poor families at the time, after the war they sought refuge in various parts of Malta, eventually settling down in Sliema.
The young Paul Bonnici left school when he was 14 years old to work first as an ice cream vendor and later as bus conductor. His father worked in a printing press, giving a teenage Bonnici access to various books.
On 14 September 1958 he joined the Franciscan order taking the name Alexander. He was ordained into the priesthood on 17 February 1963. His religious training, which included a period in Rome, returned him to studying, which was a lifelong passion for him.
From 1968 onwards he wrote and published a number of biographical histories in Maltese, English and Italian. Among his subjects, the most popular were biographies of Dun Gorg Preca, Mons Mikiel Azzopardi, Frenc tal-Għarb, Marija Tereża Nuzzo and Mons Gużeppi Depiro.
Patri Alexander jibqa' mfakkar ghall-hafna kitbiet tieghu. Mill-1968 beda zmien ta' pubblikazzjonijiet li qatt ma' qata'. Kiteb aktar minn 130 ktieb u eluf ta' artikli bil-Malti, l-Ingliz u Taljan.
For the last few years of his life he contributed programmes on Church history for Radju Marija.
DWARDU FENECH
(Died: 5 August 2006)
Rev Professor Edward Fenech was a poet and scholar of semitic languages.
Born in Attard on 1 June 1933, Fenech studied at the Lyceum, St. Mark's College in Rabat, the Pontifical White Fathers College of Islamic Studies at La Manouba in Tunisia and the Institut Catholique de Paris during the summer of 1959. He graduated B.A. (Gen) in French, Italian and Maltese from the Royal University of Malta in 1964, B.A. (Hons) in 1966 and M.A. in Maltese in 1969, with a linguistic thesis on the translation of St. John's Gospel from Greek to other languages, including Arabic and Maltese. He followed a course in linguistics and in phonetics with Reading University and another in Semitic studies with the University of Leeds between 1973 and 1975. He was ordained priest within the Augustinian Order on 23 March 1958.
He served as assistant teacher between 1966 and 1969 and then as assistant lecturer within the University of Malta between 1969 and 1975. He was nominated research assistant within the University of Leeds, Lecturer in the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Education at the University of Malta. Between 1987 and 1988 he served as acting head and between 1988 and 1998 as head of the department of Arabic. He was nominated associate professor in 1988 and assistant to the Dean of the Faculty of Arts. Professor Fenech was also the chairman of the admissions committee.
In 1969 he became member of the Akkademja tal-Malti and served as council member between 1976 and 1984. He was also a member of the University's Għaqda tal-Malti since 1964 and of the Historical Society. Fenech was elected fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society of London in 1979 and member of the International Register of Profiles in 1988. He was the co-founder and rector of the Augustinian Institute for Patristic Studies, founded in 1983. He was also and examiner of Maltese and Arabic at the University of Malta.
Along the years, Fenech published several books, including: Mad-Daqq ta' l-Arpa (1958), Il-Ġifen (1971), Wirt il-Muża (1977), Għas-Sejħa ta' l-Għana (1980) and Santu Wistin u l-Istqarrijiet Tiegħu (1987). Hewas also the editor of the religious journal Augustinian Panorama between 1984 and 1990, published under the auspices of the Augustinian Institute.
Professor Fenech died unexpectedly at St. Augustine's Convent in Old Bakery Street, Valletta on Saturday 5 August 2006. He was 73-years-old. He is buried in one of the Augustinian vaults at the Addolorata Cemetery, Paola.
PAUL GALEA
(Died: 14 August 2006)
Fr Paul Galea was a sociologist and Dominican Friar.
He was born in Valletta on 31 January 1913. He professed in the Dominican Order in 1930 and studied for three years in Rome. Galea was ordained priest at Gozo's Cathedral on 11 August 1935. He lived most of his adult life at the Dominican Convent of Rabat, until he entered the Christus Sacerdos Home for Elderly Priests in Birkirkara, where he lived his last thirteen years of life, confined in a wheelchair and afflicted by poor eyesight.
VINCENT BORG BONACI
(Died: 19 August 2006)
Ċensu Borg Bonaci was a goalkeeper in the 1960s and 1970s.
Born on 11 December 1943, the Valletta and Malta goalkeeper was known for his outstanding and reliable contribution for club and country. He started his football career with St George's before he moving to Valletta. His long spell with Valletta FC spanned nearly ten years from 1964. He was the first Maltese goaler to play at Wembley Stadium in 1971's Malta vs England. Borg Bonaci won many honours. He was capped 9 times for his country.
ĠUŻEPPI DELCEPPO
(Died: 20 August 2006)
Peppi Delceppo served St George's of Cospicua for 50 years as a player, coach, trainer and technical advisor. This is an all time record for the club. Delceppo played as a half back and was a bright beacon on the field of play, never booked or cautioned during 16 years as a footballer. Perhaps his greatest moment was leading his team beating Grazer of Austria (1-0) during the Christmas Tourneee of 1959.
PAUL CARACHI
(Died: 31 August 2006)
Pawlu Carachi was a journalist and politician.
He was born in Vittoriosa on 29 April 1926. Carachi was educated at the Lyceum. In 1941 he joined Allied Malta Newspapers Ltd. where he was promoted from salesboy delivering newspapers to reporter and later assistant foreign news editor and assistant night editor.
Carachi joined the MLP in 1960 and was appointed assistant editor of the of the party's weekly, The Voice of Malta. His next job was with the General Workers Union were he was the first deputy editor of the daily newspaper which he named L-Orizzont. He was also first editor of the of the GWU's English newspaper, Malta News. He is credited with launching the tabloid style for newspapers and investigative journalism in Malta.
Parallel to his work as a journalist, Carachi was also a member of the Malta Labour Party National Executive Committee, serving as its assistant international secretary for several years. In 1962 he unsuccessfully contested the general elections, but he was eventually elected in 1966 and 1971. He withdrew from politics when he failed to retain his seat in 1976.
In September 1979 Carachi resigned from the Union Press to work as editor for various other organizations, In 1984 he was employed as producer and broadcaster in the newsroom at Xandir Malta, where he served until his retirement in 1987.
In 1995 he founded and lead the Moviment Balzani għal Kunsill Lokali and successfully contested the local election held in March 1996.
Paul Carachi was married to Evelyn Attard and together they had two children, Mary Rose and Alex.
LEWIS PORTELLI
(Died: 7 September 2006)
Lewis Portelli was a sports journalist and broadcaster for fifty years.
He was born in Hamrun on 21 June 1930. Portelli received his education at St Edward's College and at St Michael's Training College. His first job was as a teacher in public schools but he soon transfered to the Schools' Broadcasting Unit (SBU) within the Department of Education. The SBU was closely affiliated with the Government's Department of Information (DOI) and Portelli held several posts within the DOI between 1955 and 1978. In 1966 he joined the BBC sports unit for a month, a period which served as his training in television sports production.
In 1956 Portelli started his sports broadcasting career with regular contributions on the Rediffusion cable radio service. In 1960 he was attached to RAI as commentator from Rome for the Olympic Games. These were the first ever direct broadcasts from overseas in the history of local broadcasting. Between 1961 and 1975 he became a household name with a number of productions he presented, including Sport Magazine on Rediffusion cable radio, Sports Panorama and Riżultati Sportivi the Malta Television service.
Over the years he covered various editions of the Olympic Games, World Cup, and the Games of the Small States of Europe. In 1986 he was invited to Mexico as the personal guest of Franz Beckenbauer and traveled with the German Football squad.
In 1978 he left the civil service, joining the Dragonara and Verdala Hotels first as public relations executive and later as marketing manager. In 1990 he returned to the civil service as DOI Director, a position bestowed on him by the Prime Minister. He reached retiring age in 1992 and gave up the post of DOI Director that year.
His many sports publications include A prolific author amongst the long list of his publications, there is the History of the Olympic Games, with special reference to Maltese participation, History of the World Cup, and The History of the of the Games of the Small States of Europe. He was also the editor of The Malta Football Year Book, which reached its 20th edition during his lifetime.
Portelli received several honours and awards. In 1989 he was awarded the International Olympic Committee trophy for his broadcasts and publications promoting the Olympic ideals. He was awarded the Midalja ghal Qadi tar-Repubblika in 1993 in recognition for his work in sports journalism and broadcasting. In 1994 he presented a paper on "Sports in Small Nations" at the Centennial Olympic Congress in Paris, France. In 1997 he was awarded the Premju Mons. Azzopardi in recognition for involvement with the Dar tal-Providenza in Siggiewi.
HERMAN FARRUGIA
(Died: 11 October 2006)
Dr Herman Farrugia was a medical doctor and member of parliament.
He was born on 12 January 1934. Farrugia received his education at the Lyceum and at the Royal University of Malta. He graduated as a medical doctor in 1958 and practiced as a family doctor for many years. He also work as general practitioner in state-run hospitals.
In his youth, Herman Farrugia was an avid footballer playing with Melita FC and Floriana FC.
His political career with the Nationalist Party started when he ran for parliament during the 1971 general elections on the first district. In 1975 he represented the Maltese parliament in the Commonwealth Association of Parliamentarians. Dr Farrugia was reelected in 1976, 1981 and 1987. He retired after he failed to retain his seat in the 1992 elections. His son Jean Pierre followed in his poltical footsets and managed to get himself elected to the House of Representatives with the Nationalist Party.
Herman Farrugia was married to Alice Tonna Barthet and together they had four children.
EMANUEL BONNICI
(Died: 12 September 2006)
Manuel Bonnici was a member of parliament who served on the cabinet of the Nationalst Party govenment after 1987.
He was born in Valletta on 17 May 1929. Bonnici began his political career with the Nationalist Party in the 1960s and successfully contested every election between 1966 and 1992. He was a major driving force in economic liberalization after 1987, particularly during his tenure as Minister for Economic Development.
RICCARDO FARRUGIA
(Died: 27 September 2006)
Dr Riccardo Farrugia was a retired Judge and former Nationalist Party General Secretary.
A lawyer by profession, between 1947 and 1950 Farrugia worked for the Nationalist Party serving as General Secretary. He was on the ballot for four general elections between 1947 and 1951. Although we was never personally elected, his role within the party was instrumental in getting Nerik Mizzi elected Prim Minister in 1950. He remained active in politics throughout the 1960s mainly as Deputy Leader of the right-wing Democratic Nationalist Party (DNP) led by Herbert Ganado. He unsuccessfully contested the 1962 and 1966 elections DNP.
Aside from politics Farrugia served as Judge in the Maltese Law Courts for a period of three years. He was also appointed Mid Med Bank chairman for a number of years.
He also undertook the very tedious but very necessary chore of drawing up an analytical index of the titles of the Laws of Malta.
Riccardo Farrugia was married to Carmen and was the father of three children, Tonio, Marquita and Anouchka.
MARK SAID
(Died 2 October 2006)
Father Mark Said O.P, was postulator in the Cause for the Beatification and Canonization of Dun Ġorġ Preca
He was born at Rabat on 5 April 1918 and joined the Dominican Order in 1934.
Fr Said was ordained priest on the 3rd November 1935. Towards the end of World War II he was sent to Rome to specialize in Canon Law, a subject he later taught at the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas, until he retired in 1989.
For six years he held the post of Dean of the Faculty of Canon Law at the same University. While in Rome, Fr Said was Consultant to various Vatican Congregations as well as to the Maltese Embassy in Rome. After Vatican II, he was involved in the revision of the Code of Canon Law as well as in the revision and formation of new Constitutions and Statutes of various religious Congregations.
Fr. Mark Said was Postulator in the Cause for the Beatification and Canonization of Dun George Preca for several years. In July 2006, the last major hurdle barring Dun Ġorġ Preca from being proclaimed a saint might have been removed when the Vatican attributed a second miracle to his intercession.
Fr Mark died at St Catherine of Siena Nursing Home in Attard at the age of 88.
JIMMY FARRUGIA
(Died: 25 November 2006)
Dr Jimmy Farrugia was medical doctor who spent many years as a diplomat and a politician representing the Nationalist Party, and Acting President of the Republic of Malta in the late 1980s.
He was born in Tarxien on 14 May 1922. Farrugia studies at the Lyceum and the Royal University of Malta where he received three degrees between 1944 and 1946: B.Sc, Ph.C, and M.D. On receiving his qualifications as a medical doctor from the university in 1946, he became a member of London's Royal College of General Practitioners.
Between 1950 and 1962, Dr Farrugia worked as a general practitioner with the General Workers Union, in the union's Benefit Scheme. In 1965 he was a also a regular medical consultant for Id-Dar tal-Providenza, Malta's first home for the physically and mentally handicapped. For a number of years he also served as President of the Malta Catholic Action Movement and the Council of Lay Persons.
Farrugia was elected to the House of Representatives with the Nationalist Party in 1976 and kept his parliamentary seat until 1986. During this time he served as shadow minister for culture and mediated between doctors and the government on a major dispute in 1977. He was appointed Speaker of the House of Representatives in July 1987 and held that post until 1988. He was subsequently appointed Malta's amabassador to the Holy See at the Vatican in Rome. During the 1990s he often served as Acting President of the Republic of Malta.
Jimmy Farrugia was married to Doris nee Tanti.
VICTOR BORG COSTANZI
(Died: 23 December 2006)
Judge Victor Borg Costanzi had a long career in the legal profession.
Born in Senglea on 1 December 1923, Borg Costanzi was educated at the Lyceum and at the Royal University of Malta where he graduated as a lawyer in 1946.
He was appointed Deputy Attorney General in 1977 and Attorney General in 1981. In 1983 he was sworn in as judge of the superior courts. He held that post until he retired in 1988, when he was also nominated chairman of the Permanent Commission Against Corruption.
Victor Borg Costanzi was married to the late Lina Dingli and together they had five children: Simone, Peter, Stephanie, Anne Marie and Veronique.
This page was complied by Mario Axiaq and Toni Sant.
MaltaMedia remembers a number of people who passed away during 2006. Their lives made a significant impact on the Maltese way of life.
RICHARD AQUILINA
(Died: 9 January 2006)
Richard Aquilina was a footballer in the 1970s and 1980s.
Richie was born on 5th February 1952. He was discovered by Sliema Wanderers and played two seasons with the team in 1971-1972 and 1984-1985. He also played for Tarxien Rainbows, Melita, St Andrews and Qormi.
Aquilina played eight international matches for Malta. He scored Malta's opening goal against Greece (2-0) played on 23 February 1975 in the European Championship.
His brother Edward too was an active footballer for number of years, playing with Sliema Wanderers, Hibernians, and the Malta international team.
MARIO AZZOPARDI
(Died: 7 February 2006)
Mario Azzopardi was a member of the Union Press editorial staff and a composer of philharmonic band music.
He was born in Hamrun on 26 March 1961 to Charles and Mary neè Mizzi. He joined the Union Press as sub-editor for the Daily News in October 1979 at the tender age of 18. During the early 1980s he also served the Union Press in various clerical roles, including advertising as well the Generalk Work's Union finance office. In 1988 he became sub-editor for the Weekend Chronicle but within a few months he became the founding editor of the TV guide Antenna.
Mario edited the magazine for close to twenty years and in February 1997 he became Chief Sub-Editor for the daily newspaper l-orizzont in charge of international news, and all entertainment and television pages.
In his home town of Hamrun he was well known for his active participation in vaiour social organizations. First among these was the local Malta Labour Party Club where he started out as a member on the youth committee, Għaqda Żgħażagħ Soċjalisti, serving also as a member of the National Executive for the same. He was also Secretary of the Civic Club.
Music was a great love in his life. He was heavily involved in the St Gaetan Philharmonic Band Club as a musician as well as the club treasurer. He was also a key force in the founding of the band club's music school. During his tenure with the band club Azzopardi composed a number of marches, which have been enjoyed by other philharmonic associations all over the Maltese islands, as well as with Maltese social clubs in Australia and Canada.
In 1994 he was elected to the first Local Council in Hamrun, garnering enough votes for his seat from the first count of votes.
CHARLES ARRIGO
(Died: 13 February 2006)
Charles Arrigo was a Malta's foremost broadcaster for over 50 years.
He was born Charles Arrigo Azzopardi in Valletta on 1 April 1929. After his studies at the Lyceum and at Perugia University, in 1947 he became the first Maltese man employed by Refiffusion (Malta) Ltd as announcer. Worked for the company until 1975, after he was appointed producer of drama and documentaries in 1950. In 1971 he was promoted Assistant Head of Radio Programmes, and 3 years later he became Head of Drama and Documentaries.
After 1975 he remained with Xandir Malta, the national broadcasting company which took over from Rediffusion and in 1987 he was promoted to Deputy Head of Xandir Malta. When Xandir Malta was absorbed into Public Brodcasting Services Ltd in 1991 he was appointed executive board director and Manager of Television Malta.
Arrigo attended a BBC production course as announcer and newscaster on the BBC World Service in 1959 and returned to the BBC for training for televison in 1962. On his return to Malta he became the first Maltese person to appear on television, sharing television announcer duties with Mary Grech.
Throughout his career he was best known for his commentaries on state and religious occasions and he will always be remembered for his dramatized readings of Maltese novels, which he did throughout his life since 1949.
Charles Arrigo was also active in the local theatre scene, particularly with the Bristish Institute Players and The Atturi Theatre Group. He appeared as a soldier in the film The Malta Story (1953) as well as various television drama productions.
In 1995 Charles Arrigo was awarded the Midalja Għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika (MQR).
ANTHONY M. ABELA
(Died: 4 April 2006)
Anthony M. Abela was an associate professor of sociology and social policy at the University of Malta.
Anthony Abela graduated with B.A. (Hons) in Philosophy from the Royal University of Malta. He also received an S.T.B. from the Gregorian University in Rome, a Masters in theology from the Centre Sevres in Paris and an M.A. and a D.Phil. in sociology, respectively from the Loyola University of Chicago and the University of Oxford.
He was principal investigator of the European Values Study (Malta), member of the European Values Steering Committee (Tilburg) and served as evaluator and reviewer of social research projects for the European Commission. He was also Non-Governmental Maltese Expert on Poverty and Social Inclusion for the European Commission. For three years he was director of the Institute of Social Welfare at the University of Malta, having earlier served as professore aggiunto in sociology at the Gregorian University in Rome.
Prof. Abela's research interests included comparative European Values Studies, sociology of the family, sociology of religion, youth, gender, poverty and social policy.
His publications include: Transmitting Values in European Malta (1991), Changing Youth Culture in Malta (1992), Shifting Family Values (1994), Secularised Sexuality, Youth Values in a City-island (1998), Women and Men in the Maltese Islands (1998), Young Catholics at the New Millennium (2000), Values of Women and Men in the Maltese Islands: A comparative European Perspective (2001), Youth Participation in Voluntary Organisations and Women's Welfare in Society (2001).
JOE MAGRIN
(Died: 10 April 2006)
Joe Magrin was a projectionist at the Radio City Music Hall and a technical operator at Super One Radio and Television.
He was born in Vittoriosa and worked at the Malta Dockyards for most of his life. Magrin was a great film buff and regularly shared projection duties with John Fenech at Hamrun's Radio City Music Hall Cinema until it closed down in the early 1980s. In 1991 he dedicated much of his time to technical operations at Super One Radio and Television.
KALCIDON AGIUS
(Died: 24 May 2006)
Kalcidon Agius was a politician who served as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
He was born in Naxxar on 19 October 1917. Agius became active in national politics in 1951, winning a seat in parliament for the Malta Labour Party in the general elections of that year. In 1955 he held his second parliamentary seat after casual elections following the resignation of Dr. Joseph Flores. He won elected again in 1966 and 1971.
Between January 1978 and February 1982, Agius held served as speaker in the House of Representatives and was twice appointed acting President of the Republic. In 1979 he led a parliamentary delegation on official visits to China and Romania. After he retired from politics he served as Commissioner of Justice for two years.
Agius was also a prolific playwright whose works frequently appeared on radio and television in the heydays of Xandir Malta. Among those best remembered are Provli Lejn in-Nar (1975), Rikatt (1979), Boomerang (1980), Riperkussjonijiet (1981), Delitt fil-Kamra tal-Banju (1982).
In 1996 he was named Companion of the National Order of Merit (KOM).
Kalcidon Agius was married to Salvina Grech and had five children.
FRANS BALDACCHINO
(Died: 21 June 2006)
Frans Baldacchino, better known as Il-Budaj, was a popular folk singer.
He was born in Zejtun on 16 May 1943. Baldacchino emigrated to Australia when he was twelve years old. In his youth he developed a versatility in the two most popular forms of tradition Maltese folk sining, Għana tal-Fatt (storytelling) and Għana Spirtu Pront (improvisation).
Frans Baldacchino earned himself the nickname il-Budaj in the 1950s, when the Hungarian football team Honved visited Malta. The players included Puskas and Bodai, whose name got passed on to Baldacchino’s brother who also played football, and eventually was given to Frans.
After returning to Malta in the 1970s, he participated in many folklore festivals, both on a local and international level, singing in Canada, France, Libya, Greece and Tunisia. He was especially well received in Paris, where in 1992, accompanied by two two other singers and two guitarists, he gave four concerts to appreciative audiences. A CD was launched from these concerts. He enjoyed poetry and painting, practicing both in his free time. His writing has been published in Mrieżaq ta' Moħħi and Għana ta' Frans Baldacchino Il-Budja.
JOSEPH BALDACCHINO
(Died: 21 June 2006)
Joseph Baldacchino was a former army man and a parliamentarian with the Malta Labour Party.
He was born Joseph Mary Baldacchino in Valletta on 16 September 1922 and worked for the British Army's RAOC between 1941 and 1966.
Baldacchnio entered the political arena in 1951 when he was elected assistant secretary of the Gzira Labour Party Club. In 1959 he was elected to the National Executive Committee and appointed assistant secretary general until 1962.
After an unsuccessfully bid in the 1962 general elections he was victoriously elected in 1966, and retained his parliamentary seat in the 1971 and 1976 elections. Baldacchino was secretary and whip of the MLP parliamentary group in 1971. From November 1976 to November 1981 he served as Deputy Speaker in the House of Representatives. Between 1981 and 1987 he served as chairman of a committee for the working of the law courts.
Although he didn't manage to keep his seat after the 1981 election he was eventually co-opted back to parliament in 1986, following the death of Dr. Patrick Holland. He served as Speaker from February to July 1987.
Baldacchino married Violet Vella in 1947 and together they had a son, Charles.
ĠUŻE' CHETCUTI
(Died: 18 July 2006)
Ġuże' Chetcuti was one of Malta's most prolific 20th century authors.
He was born in Cospicua on 11 August 1914. Chetcuti studied at St Albert's Central School, Valletta and the Teachers College in Valletta. In 1936 he became a primary school teacher. As he work for government schools, in 1938 he was transfered to the editorial staff of the Central Information Office where he worked as translator and store officer for many years. During the war years he worked as radio announcer, reading news bulletins he wrote or translated along with his colleagues at the Information Office.
In 1956 Ġuże' Chetcuti returned to the Education Department and taught Maltese at the Boy's Lyceum unil he retired in 1974. He also lectured in Maltese at the Mater Admirabilis Training College and acted as a member of various Maltese examining boards.
Chetcuti became actively involved in the Akkademja tal-Malti in 1937, serving as secretary between 1939 and 1948, vice president from 1990 to 1992, and president of its sub-committee for orthographic matters for many years. He was also a member of the Malta Drama League, and co-founder of the Xirka għat-Tixrid tal-Ilsien Malti (Association for Spreading the Maltese Language), which was established in 1939.
Chetcuti is best known for his novels L-Isqaq (voted best novel of the year 1962), and Nirien ta Mħabba (1967),along with plays Il-Kerrejja (1963) and 1919 (1986). His many other publications include novels Id-Dawl tal-Ħajja (1957), Imħabba u Mewt (1961), It-Tnalja (1963), Qabel Telgħet ix-Xemx (1987), Manwela (1993), and It-Teżor ta Dun Natal (1996), poetry collections Poeżiji (1945), Melita Invicta (1945), and Il-Ħajja Nzul u Tlajja (1964), and plays Il-Kerrejja (1963), Imħuħ Morda (1965), and Manwela (1979).
Some of his works have been translated into other languages. L-Isqaq was translated into English as An Alley In Malta (1971) by Maud Ruston, and into Arabic by Ibrahim Irnigami (1978). Ruston also translated It-Tnalja as The Snare (1978).
Ġuże' Chetcuti was awarded the Citta' di Valletta in 1986, and was appointed member of the National Order of Merit (MOM) in 1996.
ALEXANDER BONNICI
(Died: 26 July 2006)
Fr. Alexander Bonnici was one of Malta's most eminent religious historians.
He was born Paul Bonnici in Floriana on 28 January 1936 to Salvatore and Rita nee Galea who already had three daughters. In 1942 his family was evacuated to Gozo and he started attending the local primary school in Kercem. Like many poor families at the time, after the war they sought refuge in various parts of Malta, eventually settling down in Sliema.
The young Paul Bonnici left school when he was 14 years old to work first as an ice cream vendor and later as bus conductor. His father worked in a printing press, giving a teenage Bonnici access to various books.
On 14 September 1958 he joined the Franciscan order taking the name Alexander. He was ordained into the priesthood on 17 February 1963. His religious training, which included a period in Rome, returned him to studying, which was a lifelong passion for him.
From 1968 onwards he wrote and published a number of biographical histories in Maltese, English and Italian. Among his subjects, the most popular were biographies of Dun Gorg Preca, Mons Mikiel Azzopardi, Frenc tal-Għarb, Marija Tereża Nuzzo and Mons Gużeppi Depiro.
Patri Alexander jibqa' mfakkar ghall-hafna kitbiet tieghu. Mill-1968 beda zmien ta' pubblikazzjonijiet li qatt ma' qata'. Kiteb aktar minn 130 ktieb u eluf ta' artikli bil-Malti, l-Ingliz u Taljan.
For the last few years of his life he contributed programmes on Church history for Radju Marija.
DWARDU FENECH
(Died: 5 August 2006)
Rev Professor Edward Fenech was a poet and scholar of semitic languages.
Born in Attard on 1 June 1933, Fenech studied at the Lyceum, St. Mark's College in Rabat, the Pontifical White Fathers College of Islamic Studies at La Manouba in Tunisia and the Institut Catholique de Paris during the summer of 1959. He graduated B.A. (Gen) in French, Italian and Maltese from the Royal University of Malta in 1964, B.A. (Hons) in 1966 and M.A. in Maltese in 1969, with a linguistic thesis on the translation of St. John's Gospel from Greek to other languages, including Arabic and Maltese. He followed a course in linguistics and in phonetics with Reading University and another in Semitic studies with the University of Leeds between 1973 and 1975. He was ordained priest within the Augustinian Order on 23 March 1958.
He served as assistant teacher between 1966 and 1969 and then as assistant lecturer within the University of Malta between 1969 and 1975. He was nominated research assistant within the University of Leeds, Lecturer in the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Education at the University of Malta. Between 1987 and 1988 he served as acting head and between 1988 and 1998 as head of the department of Arabic. He was nominated associate professor in 1988 and assistant to the Dean of the Faculty of Arts. Professor Fenech was also the chairman of the admissions committee.
In 1969 he became member of the Akkademja tal-Malti and served as council member between 1976 and 1984. He was also a member of the University's Għaqda tal-Malti since 1964 and of the Historical Society. Fenech was elected fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society of London in 1979 and member of the International Register of Profiles in 1988. He was the co-founder and rector of the Augustinian Institute for Patristic Studies, founded in 1983. He was also and examiner of Maltese and Arabic at the University of Malta.
Along the years, Fenech published several books, including: Mad-Daqq ta' l-Arpa (1958), Il-Ġifen (1971), Wirt il-Muża (1977), Għas-Sejħa ta' l-Għana (1980) and Santu Wistin u l-Istqarrijiet Tiegħu (1987). Hewas also the editor of the religious journal Augustinian Panorama between 1984 and 1990, published under the auspices of the Augustinian Institute.
Professor Fenech died unexpectedly at St. Augustine's Convent in Old Bakery Street, Valletta on Saturday 5 August 2006. He was 73-years-old. He is buried in one of the Augustinian vaults at the Addolorata Cemetery, Paola.
PAUL GALEA
(Died: 14 August 2006)
Fr Paul Galea was a sociologist and Dominican Friar.
He was born in Valletta on 31 January 1913. He professed in the Dominican Order in 1930 and studied for three years in Rome. Galea was ordained priest at Gozo's Cathedral on 11 August 1935. He lived most of his adult life at the Dominican Convent of Rabat, until he entered the Christus Sacerdos Home for Elderly Priests in Birkirkara, where he lived his last thirteen years of life, confined in a wheelchair and afflicted by poor eyesight.
VINCENT BORG BONACI
(Died: 19 August 2006)
Ċensu Borg Bonaci was a goalkeeper in the 1960s and 1970s.
Born on 11 December 1943, the Valletta and Malta goalkeeper was known for his outstanding and reliable contribution for club and country. He started his football career with St George's before he moving to Valletta. His long spell with Valletta FC spanned nearly ten years from 1964. He was the first Maltese goaler to play at Wembley Stadium in 1971's Malta vs England. Borg Bonaci won many honours. He was capped 9 times for his country.
ĠUŻEPPI DELCEPPO
(Died: 20 August 2006)
Peppi Delceppo served St George's of Cospicua for 50 years as a player, coach, trainer and technical advisor. This is an all time record for the club. Delceppo played as a half back and was a bright beacon on the field of play, never booked or cautioned during 16 years as a footballer. Perhaps his greatest moment was leading his team beating Grazer of Austria (1-0) during the Christmas Tourneee of 1959.
PAUL CARACHI
(Died: 31 August 2006)
Pawlu Carachi was a journalist and politician.
He was born in Vittoriosa on 29 April 1926. Carachi was educated at the Lyceum. In 1941 he joined Allied Malta Newspapers Ltd. where he was promoted from salesboy delivering newspapers to reporter and later assistant foreign news editor and assistant night editor.
Carachi joined the MLP in 1960 and was appointed assistant editor of the of the party's weekly, The Voice of Malta. His next job was with the General Workers Union were he was the first deputy editor of the daily newspaper which he named L-Orizzont. He was also first editor of the of the GWU's English newspaper, Malta News. He is credited with launching the tabloid style for newspapers and investigative journalism in Malta.
Parallel to his work as a journalist, Carachi was also a member of the Malta Labour Party National Executive Committee, serving as its assistant international secretary for several years. In 1962 he unsuccessfully contested the general elections, but he was eventually elected in 1966 and 1971. He withdrew from politics when he failed to retain his seat in 1976.
In September 1979 Carachi resigned from the Union Press to work as editor for various other organizations, In 1984 he was employed as producer and broadcaster in the newsroom at Xandir Malta, where he served until his retirement in 1987.
In 1995 he founded and lead the Moviment Balzani għal Kunsill Lokali and successfully contested the local election held in March 1996.
Paul Carachi was married to Evelyn Attard and together they had two children, Mary Rose and Alex.
LEWIS PORTELLI
(Died: 7 September 2006)
Lewis Portelli was a sports journalist and broadcaster for fifty years.
He was born in Hamrun on 21 June 1930. Portelli received his education at St Edward's College and at St Michael's Training College. His first job was as a teacher in public schools but he soon transfered to the Schools' Broadcasting Unit (SBU) within the Department of Education. The SBU was closely affiliated with the Government's Department of Information (DOI) and Portelli held several posts within the DOI between 1955 and 1978. In 1966 he joined the BBC sports unit for a month, a period which served as his training in television sports production.
In 1956 Portelli started his sports broadcasting career with regular contributions on the Rediffusion cable radio service. In 1960 he was attached to RAI as commentator from Rome for the Olympic Games. These were the first ever direct broadcasts from overseas in the history of local broadcasting. Between 1961 and 1975 he became a household name with a number of productions he presented, including Sport Magazine on Rediffusion cable radio, Sports Panorama and Riżultati Sportivi the Malta Television service.
Over the years he covered various editions of the Olympic Games, World Cup, and the Games of the Small States of Europe. In 1986 he was invited to Mexico as the personal guest of Franz Beckenbauer and traveled with the German Football squad.
In 1978 he left the civil service, joining the Dragonara and Verdala Hotels first as public relations executive and later as marketing manager. In 1990 he returned to the civil service as DOI Director, a position bestowed on him by the Prime Minister. He reached retiring age in 1992 and gave up the post of DOI Director that year.
His many sports publications include A prolific author amongst the long list of his publications, there is the History of the Olympic Games, with special reference to Maltese participation, History of the World Cup, and The History of the of the Games of the Small States of Europe. He was also the editor of The Malta Football Year Book, which reached its 20th edition during his lifetime.
Portelli received several honours and awards. In 1989 he was awarded the International Olympic Committee trophy for his broadcasts and publications promoting the Olympic ideals. He was awarded the Midalja ghal Qadi tar-Repubblika in 1993 in recognition for his work in sports journalism and broadcasting. In 1994 he presented a paper on "Sports in Small Nations" at the Centennial Olympic Congress in Paris, France. In 1997 he was awarded the Premju Mons. Azzopardi in recognition for involvement with the Dar tal-Providenza in Siggiewi.
HERMAN FARRUGIA
(Died: 11 October 2006)
Dr Herman Farrugia was a medical doctor and member of parliament.
He was born on 12 January 1934. Farrugia received his education at the Lyceum and at the Royal University of Malta. He graduated as a medical doctor in 1958 and practiced as a family doctor for many years. He also work as general practitioner in state-run hospitals.
In his youth, Herman Farrugia was an avid footballer playing with Melita FC and Floriana FC.
His political career with the Nationalist Party started when he ran for parliament during the 1971 general elections on the first district. In 1975 he represented the Maltese parliament in the Commonwealth Association of Parliamentarians. Dr Farrugia was reelected in 1976, 1981 and 1987. He retired after he failed to retain his seat in the 1992 elections. His son Jean Pierre followed in his poltical footsets and managed to get himself elected to the House of Representatives with the Nationalist Party.
Herman Farrugia was married to Alice Tonna Barthet and together they had four children.
EMANUEL BONNICI
(Died: 12 September 2006)
Manuel Bonnici was a member of parliament who served on the cabinet of the Nationalst Party govenment after 1987.
He was born in Valletta on 17 May 1929. Bonnici began his political career with the Nationalist Party in the 1960s and successfully contested every election between 1966 and 1992. He was a major driving force in economic liberalization after 1987, particularly during his tenure as Minister for Economic Development.
RICCARDO FARRUGIA
(Died: 27 September 2006)
Dr Riccardo Farrugia was a retired Judge and former Nationalist Party General Secretary.
A lawyer by profession, between 1947 and 1950 Farrugia worked for the Nationalist Party serving as General Secretary. He was on the ballot for four general elections between 1947 and 1951. Although we was never personally elected, his role within the party was instrumental in getting Nerik Mizzi elected Prim Minister in 1950. He remained active in politics throughout the 1960s mainly as Deputy Leader of the right-wing Democratic Nationalist Party (DNP) led by Herbert Ganado. He unsuccessfully contested the 1962 and 1966 elections DNP.
Aside from politics Farrugia served as Judge in the Maltese Law Courts for a period of three years. He was also appointed Mid Med Bank chairman for a number of years.
He also undertook the very tedious but very necessary chore of drawing up an analytical index of the titles of the Laws of Malta.
Riccardo Farrugia was married to Carmen and was the father of three children, Tonio, Marquita and Anouchka.
MARK SAID
(Died 2 October 2006)
Father Mark Said O.P, was postulator in the Cause for the Beatification and Canonization of Dun Ġorġ Preca
He was born at Rabat on 5 April 1918 and joined the Dominican Order in 1934.
Fr Said was ordained priest on the 3rd November 1935. Towards the end of World War II he was sent to Rome to specialize in Canon Law, a subject he later taught at the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas, until he retired in 1989.
For six years he held the post of Dean of the Faculty of Canon Law at the same University. While in Rome, Fr Said was Consultant to various Vatican Congregations as well as to the Maltese Embassy in Rome. After Vatican II, he was involved in the revision of the Code of Canon Law as well as in the revision and formation of new Constitutions and Statutes of various religious Congregations.
Fr. Mark Said was Postulator in the Cause for the Beatification and Canonization of Dun George Preca for several years. In July 2006, the last major hurdle barring Dun Ġorġ Preca from being proclaimed a saint might have been removed when the Vatican attributed a second miracle to his intercession.
Fr Mark died at St Catherine of Siena Nursing Home in Attard at the age of 88.
JIMMY FARRUGIA
(Died: 25 November 2006)
Dr Jimmy Farrugia was medical doctor who spent many years as a diplomat and a politician representing the Nationalist Party, and Acting President of the Republic of Malta in the late 1980s.
He was born in Tarxien on 14 May 1922. Farrugia studies at the Lyceum and the Royal University of Malta where he received three degrees between 1944 and 1946: B.Sc, Ph.C, and M.D. On receiving his qualifications as a medical doctor from the university in 1946, he became a member of London's Royal College of General Practitioners.
Between 1950 and 1962, Dr Farrugia worked as a general practitioner with the General Workers Union, in the union's Benefit Scheme. In 1965 he was a also a regular medical consultant for Id-Dar tal-Providenza, Malta's first home for the physically and mentally handicapped. For a number of years he also served as President of the Malta Catholic Action Movement and the Council of Lay Persons.
Farrugia was elected to the House of Representatives with the Nationalist Party in 1976 and kept his parliamentary seat until 1986. During this time he served as shadow minister for culture and mediated between doctors and the government on a major dispute in 1977. He was appointed Speaker of the House of Representatives in July 1987 and held that post until 1988. He was subsequently appointed Malta's amabassador to the Holy See at the Vatican in Rome. During the 1990s he often served as Acting President of the Republic of Malta.
Jimmy Farrugia was married to Doris nee Tanti.
VICTOR BORG COSTANZI
(Died: 23 December 2006)
Judge Victor Borg Costanzi had a long career in the legal profession.
Born in Senglea on 1 December 1923, Borg Costanzi was educated at the Lyceum and at the Royal University of Malta where he graduated as a lawyer in 1946.
He was appointed Deputy Attorney General in 1977 and Attorney General in 1981. In 1983 he was sworn in as judge of the superior courts. He held that post until he retired in 1988, when he was also nominated chairman of the Permanent Commission Against Corruption.
Victor Borg Costanzi was married to the late Lina Dingli and together they had five children: Simone, Peter, Stephanie, Anne Marie and Veronique.
This page was complied by Mario Axiaq and Toni Sant.