BRIDGETT. On January 9, Sr MARY BRIDGETT, FMM, of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, Balzan, went to the Lord, aged 97. She leaves to mourn her loss her sisters of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, relatives and friends in Malta, Australia and England. - R.I.P.
Mass praesente cadavere will be celebrated today at 8.30 a.m. at the convent, 82, St Francis Street, Balzan, followed by interment at the Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery.

COPPERSTONE. On January 10, at Dar Sant' Anna, Senglea, ANNIE, widow of William, aged 89, passed peacefully away comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her loss her children M'Anne and her husband John Zerafa, Victor and his wife Rose, Esther and her husband Joe Camilleri, Connie and her husband John Attard, her 12 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends. - R.I.P.
The funeral leaves Dar Sant' Anna today at 2 p.m. for Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception parish church, Cospicua, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 2.30 p.m., followed by interment at the Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. The family wish to thank the staff of Dar Sant' Anna for their dedicated care and support.

GALEA. On January 10, ANTON, aged 77, passed peacefully away at his residence in Gzira, comforted by the rites of Holy Church, in the presence of his loving wife and children. He leaves to mourn his great loss his devout wife Vivienne née Lauri, his children Mariolina, Hilary, Gaby and Joanna Black née Galea-Lauri and her husband James, his beloved grandchildren Victoria Pamela and Anthony Michael. He is also deeply mourned by his brother Eric, his sister Marianna known as Annie and his sister-in-law Agnes Galea, his many other family members and friends.
The funeral leaves St Luke's Hospital on Saturday, January 14, at 8 a.m. for Gzira parish church, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 8.30 a.m. followed by interment in the family grave at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. The family will appreciate donations to Eden Foundation and Dar tal-Providenza, instead of flowers.
May he rest in eternal peace and God's loving care. Always in our loving hearts.

HENSON. On January 9, DENIS, aged 68, beloved husband of Susan, father of Karl, Vicki, Sean, Nicky and Stephanie and their respective partners, grandfather to Philippa, Bryce, Eryk, Callum, Zoë, Jaz and Sanne, passed peacefully away after a long illness bravely fought.
The funeral leaves the Holy Family Home, Naxxar, today at 2.30 p.m. for San Pawl tat-Targa chapel, Naxxar, where a service praesente cadavere will be held at 3 p.m. Private interment. No flowers by request but donations to the Holy Family Home, Naxxar, will be appreciated.

SCERRI. On January 10, at St Luke's Hospital, ALFRED of Sta Venera, aged 67, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his loss his wife Connie, his children Mariella, Tania and her husband Albert, Patricia and her husband Mark, his grandchildren Nicky, Erica, Robert, Sean, his brothers and sisters, his sister-in-law and their families, nephews and nieces, relatives and friends.
The funeral leaves St Luke's Hospital today at 8.45 a.m. for St Francis church, Villambrosa, Hamrun where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 9.15 a.m. to be followed by interment at Sant'Andrija Cemetery in Zebbug. No flowers by request by donations to Dar tal-Providenza will be greatly appreciated. Lord grant him eternal rest.

VELLA. On January 9, at St James Capua Hospital, Sliema, HELEN, née Mizzi, beloved wife, mother and grandmother of Derek, Julia, Lisa, Gabrielle and Victoria. She will also be sadly missed by her sisters and brothers Lola, Bertie, Tony, Sophie and Rita, widow of her brother Arthur, and her in-laws Gloria, Kenneth, James, Mark and Adrian, and all their respective spouses, her nephews, nieces and many friends. May she rest in peace.
The funeral leaves St James Capua Hospital on Friday, January 13, at 1.30 p.m. for Santa Marija parish church, Mosta, where Mass praesente cadavere will be celebrated at 2 p.m., followed by interment at the Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to the Hospice Movement, Balzan, will be appreciated.

VELLA. On January 10, at St Luke's Hospital, Paul sive Lino, aged 75, born in Zejtun and residing in Mosta, went to meet the Risen Lord comforted by the rites of the Holy Church and surrounded by his family. He leaves to mourn his loss his beloved wife Mary Doris née Buhagiar, his son Sandro and his fiancée Katia, his daughter Charmaine, his brothers Saviour, Joseph, Charlo and Caesar, his sisters Adelaide, Casilda, and Bridget, together with their respective spouses, his nephews and nieces, in-laws, other relatives and friends.
The funeral leaves St Luke's Hospital tomorrow at 2.45 p.m. for Mosta parish church where Mass praesente cadavere will be celebrated at 3.30 p.m. followed by interment at Mosta cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to Dar tal-Providenza will be greatly appreciated.
Lord grant him eternal rest.

Appreciation - Ritchie Aquilina (Life)

Tony Psaila writes:

I write these few thoughts following the news that Ritchie has gone to seek pastures new.

The initial shock when we all learnt that "Life" was afflicted by the male oscuro never really wore off and the sensation that we could lose such a close and dear friend so early in life was constantly on my mind. Human nature being what it is pushed me to think that Ritchie would pull through and make a full recovery and return to being the jovial character which earned him the apt nickname of "Life", a name coined by his adoring wife Nikki and adopted by all who were close to him.

I last saw Ritchie a couple of days before New Year's Day; he was sitting up in an armchair in his room. Although he was visibly unwell and uncomfortable he was still full of courage and taking my hand said in no uncertain way "irrid niggildilha" (I'll fight on). The subtle sense of humour he had regaled us with during the many happy days we spent together, although somewhat subdued, was still there and he found the strength to pass some of his characteristic remarks.

Our friendship with Nikki and Ritchie goes back many years. Together with Sylvana and Malcolm and Ann Gatt we literally travelled the world together. A few years back we spent a memorable three weeks in Australia together. It was the culmination of many a trip together and the happy memories will remain very vivid in all our minds for all time.

Our travels together covered many a sporting event, from football, to tennis and, of course, a number of skiing holidays. Who can ever forget the memorable impersonation of the Gemelle Kessler put up by Eddie Aquilina and himself in Marileva. Invariably every trip would end up with a visit to the shops where Ritchie would take over and make sure he would finger an unending number of garments before deciding on what to buy and suggest what we should buy.

His attention to fitness and his personal appearance is legendry to those who knew him. In my case he was constantly at me to exercise and eat less and better. During the summer months at the Pitch he would push us all to join him in a swimming expedition to Qui-Si-Sana and back.

His achievements and prowess on the football field made him one of the top professional footballers on the island. His excellence in the sporting field was in later years transferred to tennis where he became one of the top social tennis players at the Marsa. His degree of fitness was incredible and he could pick up a ball, which others would give up on, with incredible ease. It always fascinated me how he would clear a tennis net practically from standstill. Although he had reached a far superior standard than most of us he never had second thoughts to partner even the most ungifted of us in a game. That was Ritchie!

My memories of this truly great guy could go on and on and yet would still not do sufficient justice to his memory!

To his adoring wife Nikki, his sister Rose, his brothers Edward and Lino, his in-laws and other relatives and friends may the Lord help us through these difficult moments until such time that we will all be re-united in a new life with Life.

In Memoriam

CATANIA. In ever loving memory of FRANK who went to meet the Risen Lord 18 years ago. Always remembered by Lucy, Edwin, Joe, Herbert, Bernadette and family. A Mass for the repose of his soul will be said today at 6 p.m. at St John of the Cross parish church, Ta' Xbiex. O Lord, grant him eternal rest.

ELLUL BONICI - STEVE. In loving memory of a dear son and brother on the 16th anniversary of his brutal death. No length of time can ever dim your memory. You live forever in our hearts. His parents, brothers and sisters.

GLANVILLE - MARIA. In memory of our dear mother on the anniversary of her demise. Lovingly remembered by Lina, Bernadette and Joe.

MANGION. Loving memories of JANE, a beloved mother and grandmother. Always in our thoughts and prayers, today the 15th anniversary of her death. Greatly missed by Mary, Carmel, Matthew and Claire-Anne.

MANGION - JANE. Cherished memories of a beloved mother and grandmother on the 15th anniversary of her death. Never forgotten and deeply missed by her daughter Carmen, Mario, Jonathan and Vanessa.

MONTANARO. In loving memory of ADELAIDE née Cassar Torreggiani on the 11th anniversary of her demise. Fondly remembered by all the family. A prayer is solicited.

REFALO. In ever loving memory of our dearest mother LAURA on the seventh anniversary of her demise. All Masses said tomorrow at St Patrick's church, Sliema, will be offered for the repose of her soul. May she rest in peace.

STAFRACE - VICTOR. Unfading memories of a dear father and grandfather on the seventh anniversary of his passing away. Josie and Suzanne, Odette and Patrick and grandchildren. Lord, grant him eternal rest.

STUBBS - BRENDA. Treasured and loving memories, especially today the eighth anniversary of her passing away. Amadeo.

TERRENI. In loving memory of our dear father, Professor JOSEPH TERRENI, OBE, A&CE. Always in our thoughts and prayers. His sons Leslie, Tony and his daughter Bea, in-laws and grandchildren. Kindly remember him in your prayers. Lord, grant him eternal rest.

ZAHRA. In loving and unfading memory of FRANK, today the sixth anniversary of his demise. Remembered by his five brothers and their families.

ZAHRA. In everlasting memory of our dearest brother FRANK who passed away six years ago. Always in our thoughts and prayers. His brothers Lino, John, George, Winston, Tony and their families.

ZAMMIT TABONA - MAURICE. Treasured memories of a beloved husband, father and grandfather on the eighth anniversary of his demise. Today's 6.30 p.m. Mass at the Immaculate Conception parish church, Ta' l-Ibrag, will be offered for the repose of his soul. His family.

Power Cuts

The electricity supply will be suspended today as follows:

Sliema/Gzira, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Carlo Manché, Bonavita, Il-Balluta and parts of Reggie Miller, Rue D'Argens, Belvedere, Mrabat, Boverie, San Albert, Cuschieri, Moroni, Il-Flotta, Cameron and Tonna streets.

Armier, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at It-Torri L-Abjad.

Hamrun, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., in Il-Gdida, Oscar Zammit streets and whereabouts and in parts of Il-Kappillan Mifsud and Oscar Zammit streets.

What's On Today

Exhibitions
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Auberge D'Italie, Valletta, ceramic exhibition by Paul Vella Critien.

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the National Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta, Insights, an exhibition of abstract paintings by John Grima in The Loggia, and Drawings, an exhibition of works by Anton Grech in the Contemporary Hall. Both exhibitions are open to the public free of charge.

At the National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta, an exhibition entitled The Coinage Of The Crusaders And The World Of Islam.

At the National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta, an exhibition entitled Crusades: Myth And Realities.

At the Maritime Museum, Vittoriosa, an exhibition entitled Nelson And Malta: A Naval Hero's Vision.

At the National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta, exhibition entitled Faces Of Neolithic Malta.

At Heritage Malta's Gozo area office, the Citadel, Victoria, exhibition entitled Pasturi: Crafts And Practices Of Rural Life In Pre-WWII Gozo.

At Heritage Malta's head office, Valletta, Expressions - an exhibition of paintings by Emily Frendo Camilleri.

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