Social and Personal

AGIUS YANKAUSKAS. On February 14, at St James Capua Hospital, to Kristina née Yankauskas and John, God's precious gift of a son - SASCHA, a welcome brother to Jonathan, Matthew and Abygale. Thanks to the staff at St James Capua Hospital and especially to the obstetrician.

AXISA. On February 13, at St James Capua Hospital, to Elaine née Bonnici and Tonio, God's precious gift of a son - JULIAN, a welcome brother to Matthew. Special thanks to midwives Lilian and Carmen, and all the staff at the maternity unit of St James Capua Hospital. Thanks also to the obstetrician and paediatrician.

BONNICI. On February 4, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Jean née Sciberras and Adrien, God's precious gift of a daughter - MARTINA, a welcome sister to Hannah and Nicholas. Thanks be to God and Our Lady.

BORG. On February 6 at Karen Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Josann née Scerri and James, God's precious gift of a son Terence James, a most welcome brother to Bethany. Thanks to God, Our Lady and St Therese. Special thanks to the consultant, obstetrician, midwife Miriam Borg and all the staff.

CAMILLERI. On February 19, at St James Capua Hospital, to Francesca née Debono and Christopher, God's precious gift of a first-born daughter - AMY. Deo gratias et Mariae. Thanks to the midwives and staff at the maternity department of St James Capua Hospital.

DECELIS. On February 17, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Charisse née Grima and Andrew, God's precious gift of a daughter - THEA, a most welcome sister to Julia. Special thanks to all the staff for their excellent care.

DIACONO. On February 11, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Veronica née Briffa and Peter, God's special gift of a son - SEBASTION, a welcome brother to Francesca, Timothy and Steven. Special thanks to the obstetrician and medical staff for their expertise, care and dedication.

FAURE. On February 16, at St James Capua Hospital, to Lynn Maria née Chircop and Antoine, God's precious gift of a first-born daughter - LIZZIE. Thank you, God. Special thanks to the obstetrician, paediatrician, Rachael Vella and all the dedicated and professional staff of St James Capua Hospital, especially Lilian Azzopardi, Carmen Scerri, Maureen Camilleri, Lara Cauchi, Carmen Pace, Diane Cassar and all the others for being so caring.

GRAHAM. On February 13, at St Philip's Hospital, to Cynthia née Micallef and Ian, God's precious gift of a first-born son - CONNOR JAMES. Thanks to all the staff for their hard work, dedication and support.

MUSCAT. On February 12, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Mireille née Pitrè and Paul, God's special gift of a son - TIMOTHY, a most welcome brother to Adam. Deo gratias et Mariae. Special thanks to midwife Dorianne Mangion and all the staff.

PORTELLI. On February 13, at St Philip's Hospital, to Joanna née Bonello and Kevin, God's precious gift of a first-born daughter - ANDREA VALENTINA, truly a little angel. Thanks to all the dedicated, caring and supportive staff at St Philip's Hospital who provide an impeccable service round-the-clock. Special thanks to the obstetrician, midwives Carmen Cannataci and Kate Hardwick.

PULLICINO. On February 14, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Alison and Eric, God's precious gift of a beautiful son - SAMUEL, a most welcome brother to Matthias. We thank the Lord for this little miracle.

SCERRI. On February 12, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Caroline née Abela and Keith, God's precious gift of a son - NIGEL, a most welcome brother to David. Thanks be to God and Our Lady. Heartfelt thanks to the obstetrician, paediatrician and all the dedicated staff.

STELLINI. On February 16, at St James Capua Hospital, to Isabel née Pulis and Mario, God's precious gift of a daughter - MARIA, a most welcome sister to David and Gabriel. Jesus, we trust in you. Thanks to the obstetrician and midwife Lilian Azzopardi and all the staff at St James Capua Hospital for their loving care.

Engagements

Mr AARÒN V. PISANI, ALCM and Miss ALEXIA M. BIRMINGHAMFebruary 14, 2004The engagement is announced between AARÒN, son of Maestro Ronald E. Pisani, LRSM, A.Mus., LCM, and Mrs Carmen Ann Pisani, LRSM, and ALEXIA, daughter of Mr Ronald Birmingham and Mrs Michelle Birmingham. Fr Gorg Dalli blessed the rings.

Marriages

Mr CHRISTIAN DELIA and Miss LORRAINE GRECHThe marriage took place on Saturday, February 14, at St John of the Cross parish church, Ta' Xbiex, between CHRISTIAN, son of the late George Delia and of Mrs Olivia Delia of Ta' Xbiex, and LORRAINE, daughter of Saviour and Carmen Grech of Sliema. Mark Mangion was best man. Josef Gauci and Stephen Delia were witnesses. A reception was held afterwards at the Malta Chamber of Commerce.

Wedding Anniversary

Maestro RONALD PISANI, LRSM, A.Mus., LCM and Miss CARMEN ANN GRECHHappy Valentine's and wedding anniversary, February 14, 2004. Happy 28th anniversary. With lots of love from your loving sons Jean-James and Aaròn, fiancée Alexia Birmingham, and most of all from your dear mum and in-law, Virginia Grech. May God shower you with many more years.

Obituary

BARTOLO. On February 21, at St Luke's Hospital, Joseph, aged 60, of Msida, former Police Sergeant No 3, Security Branch, councillor and former deputy mayor of Msida council and president PN club Msida, passed peacefully away, comforted by the rites of Holy Church, surrounded by his family. He leaves to mourn his loss his beloved wife Margaret née Filletti, his dearest daughter Johanna and her fiancé James Rouse, his brothers Dr Frank Bartolo and his wife Henriette, and Charles and his wife Emy of Australia, his twin sister Mary and her husband Michael Seychell, his mother-in-law Mary Massaro, his sisters-in-law Mary Louise and her husband Tony Vella, and Anna and her husband Keith Affhauser, nephews and nieces, numerous friends and colleagues, among them Guza Ellul, Dr Carmelo Grima and his wife Margaret, Alfred Farrugia and his wife Isabelle, and the directors and collegues of St James Capua Hospital and all the staff at M5 St Luke's Hospital.The funeral leaves St Luke's Hospital tomorrow at 2 p.m. for Msida parish church, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 2.30 p.m., followed by interment in the family vault at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to the Eden Foundation will be appreciated. May God grant him eternal rest.

GAUCI. On February 21, at St Luke's Hospital, GILJAN of Gharghur, residing at San Gwann, aged 56, passed peacefully away, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his loss his wife Doris, his daughter Maria, his mother Manwela, his mother-in-law Helen, his brothers and sisters, in-laws, nephews and nieces, other relatives and friends, especially friends at il-Monti. - R.I.P.The funeral leaves St Luke's Hospital today at 1.30 p.m. for Our Lady of Lourdes parish church, San Gwann, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 2 p.m., followed by interment in the family grave at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to Villa Mgr Gonzi, Siggiewi, and the Poor Clares, St Julian's, will be appreciated.

Appreciation - Franz Mifsud

Mr Joe Zammit Ciantar, writes:On Monday January 19, shortly before 4 p.m., Franz Mifsud and I met in the old lift of the University of Malta Junior College; I had to stop in the second floor, Franz went on to the fourth. Each of us was on his way for the last lecture of the day.

In the short time we spent in the lift together, I do not remember saying anything special. When the lift stopped in the second floor, we just bid each other with the usual short "bye" and each of us went on to attend to his duties.

The following day, at about 8.30 a.m., while I was helping two of my students during a personal contact hour, I heard a soft knock on the door of my room. It was Saviour Seisun, Head of the Department of Maltese, who asked me out of my room; he had something to tell me. He looked lugubrious and I immediately realised something serious had occurred.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Franz," he said in an undertone. "Halliena!"

I was shocked. I went cold and speechless. I simply could not believe what I had just heard. During those few seconds I recalled Franz, standing beside me, going up the lift with me, with his head reclined in a pensive mood. Although we had spent so many an occasion in each other's company, every time I squeezed my eyes and mind in an attempt to recall any of them, this picture of the day before kept blocking every other one of us together in the past.

I had come to know Franz many years ago. He was one of the reserved members of Grupp Awturi of which I was president at the time. He was also a fellow member of the Akkademja tal-Malti, and for several years president of the Ghaqda Letterarja Maltija. However, we rarely met.

It was back in 1995 when I relinquished my post as education officer with the Education Division, and took up that of lecturer of Maltese at the Junior College that we started to meet very often while on our way to deliver lectures, and at departmental meetings; Franz was a fellow lecturer of Maltese. During the latter meetings, Franz was the almost silent participant, a good listener, and the member of the staff who was always ready to accept what the majority would have rationally decided upon.

His reserved character rarely let out what he was working or researching on. Only his inner circle of friends knew he was reading for a Ph.D. with the Institute of Education of the University of London. I was one of those who only learnt about this when he left for a short visit to meet his external tutor last October. Franz was an assiduous scholar who would have graduated Ph.D. in the next few months.

Franz was born in Rabat in 1951. He studied at the Lyceum and the University of Malta, from where he graduated BA (Hons) in Maltese in 1973 and a Diploma for the Teaching of Arabic in 1982. He also studied art at the Accademia di Belle Arti (Perugia) in 1979. In 1982 he penned San Gwann (1978), and Minn San Stiefnu sal-Milied (1995).

In his private life he was a devout husband and a loving father, always proud to introduce his children to friends, especially his daughter Veronique, whom he used to bring with him to the Junior College since she started the two-year course with us a year ago.

Franz was surely still young - he passed away at the age of 52 - and too much involved bringing up his children and helping them in their studies, at the same furthering his studies and tending to his duties at the Junior College, to imagine what great respect he enjoyed by many, among them those who turned up for his funeral Mass celebrated by Fr Charles Tabone, OP, and concelebrated by many other priests at Birkirkara.

He could never imagine how many students and members of the staff - among them his colleagues in the department of Maltese - at the Junior College where he lectured for these past nine years, on Wednesday, January 28, packed the study area where Fr Ray Pace, SJ (the Spiritual Director at the Junior College), and fellow lecturers Fr George Schembri and Fr Josè Debono concelebrated another Mass for the repose of his soul.

Two students from the groups he used to lecture to, read the Lesson and Responsary Psalm, while two of our colleagues, Mario Cassar and Emmanuel Mifsud, read out the prayers of the faithful and a short appreciation respectively. After Holy Communion, Franz's daughter sang Wishing somehow you were here again (from The Phantom of the Opera) which her father loved to hear as a farewell song every time he left his family and Malta on short trips to meet his tutor abroad. The ovation given her by one and all who attended the Mass was a heartfelt and emotional gesture complimenting young Veronique and wishing Franz a merited eternal Heavenly Peace.

At the end of the Mass, Franz's wife, Marianne, thanked all - students, members of the staff and the priests who said Mass - for the solidarity shown with her and her beloved departed husband, with very emotive words.

"I know it's funny," she exclaimed smilingly at one time. "But after this experience I feel happy," she ended up, her voice drowned by a general sincere and warm applause.

Yes, dear Franz. You have left us unexpectedly. Your departure has left us with an empty chair and desk in our Department of Maltese. However, strangely enough, we have a feeling similar to that of your wife. We have a strange feeling of missing you, but at the same time we are also happy for you having gone to receive honours higher than the Ph.D. you fervently worked for.

Strangely enough, your departure from among us brought about the greatest solidarity we ever experienced all through these last nine long years working at the Junior College. May God receive you for your exemplary rendering of your duties as a lecturer, as a respectable friend, as a loving and caring father and husband, and may your wife, children, relatives and friends be comforted with the memories of the wonderful company you provided them and us with, everywhere and always.

Memorial Service

MARGRIET VOS, 24.2.1933-14.6.2003. Service will be held on Tuesday, February 24, at 7.30 p.m. at the Bible Baptist church, Triq il-Madonna tal-Gebla, Gzira.

Requiem Masses

All Masses said tomorrow at St Patrick's church, Sliema, and the 9 a.m. Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish church, Balluta, St Julian's, will be celebrated for the repose of the soul of LINA BRINCAT on the second anniversary of her death. The attendance of relatives and friends will be greatly appreciated.

A Mass for the repose of LEONILDA SERRACINO-INGLOTT, on the 27th anniversary of her death, will be celebrated today at 9.45 a.m. at Ta' l-Ibrag parish church. A prayer is solicited.

In Memoriam

AGIUS - SAVIOUR. In loving memory of a dear uncle. A prayer is solicited. His family.

AGIUS - VINCE. In loving memory of a dear uncle. A prayer is solicited. His family.

AQUILINA. In loving memory of TONINU who was found dead at Ghallis Tower, on his 49th anniversary. Never forgotten by his wife Catherine, daughter Vivienne, relatives and friends.

AZZOPARDI. Loving memories of a much loved husband and father, JOE (JoJo), on the 11th anniversary of his passing away. Fondly remembered by his wife Tessie and daughters Vanessa and Joanna. Lord, grant him eternal rest.

AZZOPARDI. Fond memories of JOE, who departed this life 11 years ago. Always in our thoughts. Joe, Joyce and family.

BORG. Treasured memories of my beloved husband ANTHONY on the fourth anniversary of his passing away to a better life. Always in my thoughts and prayers. Gracienne.

BORG - MARY. Cherished memories of a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother on the third anniversary of her death. Fondly remembered by her children Suzanne, Joe, Henry and Wilfred and in-laws. Lord, grant her eternal rest.

BORG. In loving memory of a dear friend, TONY, today the fourth anniversary of his passing away. Florence, Sergio and Francesca.

BUTTIGIEG - NICHOLAS (Nicky). Beyond words that can ever begin to tell you how much I hold you and your memories within my heart each and every day. I love you son. Mum and dad.

CALLEJA - CARMELINA (Nini). In sweet remembrance of a dear mother and grandmother on the 27th anniversary of her demise. Fondly remembered by her son Joe, his wife Mary and their family.

CALLEJA - JOHN. Cherished memories of our beloved father on the 19th anniversary of his demise. Fondly remembered by his daughters Mary, Elizabeth, Carmen and Pauline and their families.

CREMONA - Professor René A. CREMONA. Remembered with love and greatly missed on the fourth anniversary of his demise. Miriam, John, Anthony.

CRITIEN - MAY. In loving memory, on the 18th anniversary of her death. Fondly remembered and sadly missed by her sons Anton and his wife Geraldine, Fra John, and her grandsons Peter and Ian. Lord, grant her eternal rest.

D'EMMANUELE - SALVINO. In ever loving memory of our beloved Salvino, next Wednesday, February 25, being the 36th anniversary of his demise. Fondly remembered by his wife, children, grandchildren, relatives and friends. Kindly remember him in your prayers.

DYER - ANTHONY.We never knew that morningWhat sorrow that day would bringWhen a young heart stopped beatingAnd we couldn't do a thingWe never said goodbye to youPerhaps it's just as wellFor we could never have said goodbyeTo one we loved so well.Mum, dad, Christine and her husband Chris and Romina, family and friends. A Mass for the repose of his soul will be said tomorrow at 8 p.m. at the Millenium chapel, Paceville.

GAUCI - ANTHONY. In ever loving memory of a beloved husband and father on the third anniversary of his death. Lovingly remembered by his wife Josephine and his children Lina and her husband Silvio, Alphy and his wife Lina, and George, other relatives and friends.

MERCIECA - Dr JOHN H. MERCIECA, MOM, D.Sc. (Hon. Causa), DDS. In loving memory, on the first anniversary of his demise. Remembered with unfading love. Always in our prayers. Arthur, Ruby, John, Maria, Daniel, Paul and Mariella.

MIZZI - SILVAN. On the seventh anniversary of his passing away to a better world. "Dear Silvan, very often people ask me how many children do I have? I always reply two, I have two and will always have two." Silvan you know you will never be forgotten by your mother, father, your sister Joanna and her husband Ray, aunts, uncles and cousins in Malta and abroad. We will always love and think of you, Silvan. Rest in peace.

SERRACINO-INGLOTT - LEONILDA. With loving memories of a dear mother, today the 27th anniversary of her death. Remembered with respect and gratitude. Her family in Australia, England, Canada and Malta.

VELLA - MATTHEW. In precious remembrance of a loving husband and father, who left us three years ago today. Still sadly missed by his wife Eileen, his children Antoine and wife Rosalie, Nadia, family and friends.Three years have passedSo fondly loved,So sadly missedBut I thank the LordFor the years we shared together.

VELLA BONELLO. In loving memory of CARMELO, tomorrow the fourth anniversary of his demise. Fondly remembered by his wife Olga, his children Joe Scerri, Nathalie Attard and Tonio, in-laws, grandchildren, relatives and friends. Tomorrow's 12 noon Mass at Ta' Cejlu chapel, Marsa (near Enemalta), will be offered for the repose of his soul. Lord, grant him eternal rest.

ZAMMIT LA ROSA - MARIETTA. Lovingly remembered by Marlene, Joe, Anne, Vincent and Claire.

Visitors' Books

Visitors' books during funerals, with or without photos. Same day service. Phone Palmyra 2149-7335.

Cemetery

The parish of the Risen Christ, Pembroke, has filed an application for the building of a cemetery in the locality. Persons interested in owning a grave are invited to collect the relevant information from the church of the Risen Christ, Pembroke, at their earliest convenience.

Pharmacies Open Today

Malta 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. - Gozo 7.30 to 11 a.m.Collis Williams Pharmacy, 300, Republic Street, Valletta;Nashinal Pharmacy, 194, St Joseph High Road, Hamrun;Spiteri's Pharmacy, 82, Victory Street, Qormi;St Helen Pharmacy, Tumas Fenech Street, Birkirkara;Remedies Chemists, Marina Court, 49A, Abate Rigord Street, Ta' Xbiex;J.V.'s Pharmacy, Swieqi Valley, Swieqi;Chemimart Ltd Pharmacy, 4, 5, 6, Il-Piazzetta, Tower Road, Sliema;M4 Pharmacy, Old Railway Road, Attard;Victory Pharmacy, 36, Victory Street, Naxxar;Karizia Drugstore, 87, George Borg Olivier Street, Mellieha;Distinction Pharmacy, 32, Antoine De Paule Square, Paola;Verdala Pharmacy, 57, Gendus Street, Cospicua;Felice Dispensary, 95, Sanctuary Street, Zabbar;Blossoms Pharmacy, N.B. Gurgier Street, Birzebbuga;Zurrieq Dispensary, 68, Main Street, Zurrieq;De Rohan Pharmacy, 24, St Anthony Street, Zebbug;Imtarfa Pharmacy, Count Salvatore Manduca Street, Mtarfa;Abela's Pharmacy, 42, G.P.F. Agius De Soldanis Street, Victoria, Gozo;Nadur Pharmacy April 28, 1688, Square, Nadur.

Editor's note, July 2024: This article was amended to remove a notice.