Social and Personal

BORG ST. JOHN. On May 22, at St Luke's Hospital, CARMEN, widow of John Borg, passed peacefully away comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her sad loss, her beloved children Walter, Louise and her husband Martin, Roseanne, Cecilia and her husband Peter, Joseph and his wife Barbara, Anton and his wife Debbie, special friends Joe and Val, her grandchildren Colin and his wife Connie, Louise, Glen, Lee, Adam, Jamie, Wayne, Darren, Rebecca, Dahine, Lara, Christian, Clifford and her great-grandchildren, Emily and Maximilian and in-laws. The funeral leaves St Luke's Hospital today at 2 p.m. for St Gregory's parish church, Sliema, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 2.30 p.m. followed by interment in the family grave at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. The family would like to thank the staff and patients at M2 St Luke's Hospital, for all they did for our mother. May the Lord grant her eternal rest.

EBEJER. On May 23, at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Tal-Virtù, Rabat, SR MARIA STELLA EBEJER, aged 93, went to meet her Risen Lord. She leaves to mourn her loss the religious of the Society of the Sacred Heart, her nieces Mary Azzopardi and Elena Bugeja, other relatives and friends. - R.I.P. Mass praesente cadavere will be said today at 9 a.m. at the Seminary chapel, Tal-Virtù, Rabat, followed by interment at the Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery.

GIGLIO. On May 22, at his residence in Valletta, Dr JOHN GIGLIO (ex-CGMO), aged 75, passed peacefully away comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his loss his beloved wife Antoinette née Cauchi, his dearest children Angèle, wife of Dr Victor Grech, Dr Pierre Giglio and his wife Ruth, residing in America, Anna Marie and her husband Dr Daren Caruana, residing in the UK, Joseph and his wife Muriel, his beloved grandchildren Marija, Elizabeth, Peter, Andrew and John, his brother, His Excellency Mgr. Paul Giglio, his sisters Josephine and Mary, his brother Albert and his wife Rose, Dr Christopher Barbara, other nephews and nieces, relatives and friends. - R.I.P. The funeral leaves his residence tomorrow at 7.45 a.m. for St Paul Shipwrecked parish church, Valletta, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 8 a.m., followed by interment in the family grave at the Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. Donations to Dar tal-Providenza, Siggiewi and Dar tal-Kleru, Fleur-de-Lys, Birkirkara, will be appreciated.

Appreciation - Joe Spiteri

Peter Paul Vella writes

On Thursday, May 18, all Nadur woke up talking about the sudden demise of Joe Spiteri, known as Pulito. He used to be found serving his regular customers in his delicatessen next to the parish church with his inimitable flair. His morning salutation, ending with the almost proverbial "Have a nice day" and so freely given to all and sundry, shall remain his trademark for many a day to come. It often bestowed on the beneficiary a more positive outlook on the oncoming day.

Refined artistic tastes were an intrinsic part of Joe. Bereft of the support of a father (he went missing through enemy action in World War II when Joe turned two), he developed his artistic inclinations by discretely, yet assiduously, observing his masters working on the interior embellishment of the monumental church dedicated to St Peter and St Paul. These artists included within their ranks the "professors", as he labelled them, namely Francesco Saverio Sciortino, Pio Cellini and Lazzaro Pisani.

His dogged perseverance bore astounding results. He eventually became a self-taught painter and took great pains to build papier-mache cribs which he selflessly gave away to his grandsons. His still life paintings can be seen hanging at his family home and will be surely cherished by his beloved wife and daughters.

In the 1970s Joe gave vent to his temperamental character and fertile creativity by building carnival floats, which somehow always ended on the winning end.

He may have reached his apex in his remarkable career when he was given a chance to display his culinary skills, having been appointed head chef in a Roman quarter, agonisingly close to the Dolce Vita.

Joe's memory will remain imprinted in our minds as a jovial, never say die person and a champion of anything related to his hometown. But his most marked characteristic was his loyal and genuine nature, virtues that are getting scarcer by the minute. Joe fought tooth and nail to be allowed to express his ideas as he thought fit and there was no beating about the bush with him.

Joe Spiteri will remain the epitome of gentlemanly conduct and a thoroughbred Nadurian.

May God assign to him a seat wherein everything is so perfectly harmonious that even Joe will find it extremely hard, nay impossible, to find anything amiss (merely joking, Joe).

May his mum Carmen, his beloved wife Rina and his five daughters find solace in prayer throughout these difficult moments.

Farewell my friend.

In Memoriam

ASCIAK - EMANUEL. Remembering you always and especially today on your 29th anniversary, our dearly beloved father. With love and gratitude for all the years we had spent together. Your sons and daughters.

BISAZZA. In ever loving memory of our dear parents CHARLES and BICE, today being the 12th anniversary of our mother's demise. Fondly remembered by their son Mario, their daughters Anna, Juliette, Laura and Yolanda, in-laws and grandchildren. Always in our thoughts and prayers.

BORG GRECH. In loving memory of AMELIA on the sixth anniversary of her death. Never forgotten by her children Lucia, Ninette, Joseph and Marcelle, Renzo and Evelyn, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. May she rest in peace.

CALLEJA - JOSEPH and CARMELA. In memory of our loving parents on the 60th and 25th anniversary respectively. Fondly remembered by Mgr. Philip Calleja, Rev Fr Julian Calleja O Carm, Carmel and his wife Lina, grandchildren and relatives.

CALLEJA - JULIE. Not a day goes by, that we do not cry for our precious sister. We miss her so, especially today her first anniversary with the Lord. She will always remain so very special to us and deeply loved by her brother Ray, her sisters Monica, Eileen and Ronnie, May and Joe and her nephews and nieces, Pierre, Steve, Ralph, Lynda, Eric, and their families. Mary help of Christians help us live without her.

CEFAI - MARY. Treasured memories of a dear mother and grandmother on the 15th anniversary of her demise. Always in our hearts, thoughts and prayers. Her son John and family. Lord grant her eternal rest.

CHARLES - FRANK. Loving memories of my father especially today being the anniversary of his death. Anna, Joe and family.

DEMARCO - MAY. In loving memory of our precious mother, today the first anniversary of her passing away. Fondly remembered and ever in our heart, thoughts and prayers.
Dearest Mum,
The void you left in our lives
Has touched us deep inside,
Our silent tears won't wash away
The sadness in our hearts.
But loving memories of you,
Your gentle ways and smiles,
Will keep you always close to us
As you rest in peace with God above.
Victoria, Theresa, Alfred, Sandra, Anthony, David, their respective spouses and her grandchildren.

DIMECH - ERMINIA. Remembering our dearest mother on the 26th anniversary of her passing to eternal life. Tessie, Josephine and Albert.

FERRY. Loving memories of CHARLES, a dear husband and father, on the 18th anniversary of his demise. Fondly remembered by his wife, sons, daughter and relatives.

FORMOSA. In ever loving and cherished memories of our dearest mother MINNIE, on the first anniversary of her passing away on May 26. Her children Victoria, David and Stephen, spouses and her grandchildren. Lord grant her eternal rest. Mass will be offered at Stella Maris Paris Church, Sliema, tomorrow at 9 a.m.

GRAVINO. In loving memory of CARMELINA today being the 28th anniversary of her death. Fondly remembered by her husband Alfredo, her children, in-laws and grandchildren.

Stolen

Toyota Vitz 2000, silver, DBJ 498. On Monday, May 22 from Triq il-Mediterran, Pembroke. Phone Christina 7905 3723, 2137 2700.

Half-day retreat

A half-day retreat for university academics on the theme Where Do I Find God? led by Fr Alfred Darmanin SJ, a senior lecturer in the Department of Psychology, will be held at Mount St Joseph Retreat House, Targa Gap, l/o Mosta, on Saturday from 9 a.m.

The retreat is aimed at helping the discovery of various ways in which one can find God in daily life.

Various individual and group exercises will be proposed to achieve this awareness.

Those interested in attending can send their particulars by e-mail to chaplaincy@um.edu.mt or phone on 2340 2341 by tomorrow.

christine.sammut@um.edu.mt

Animated Stories

There will be animated story telling by Natalie Portelli for children aged between three and eight at the National Council of Women Centre, Pope Pius X11 Flats, Mountbatten Street, Blata l-Bajda on Friday at 6 p.m.

Every child will be given a free book. The fee is Lm1 per adult.

Musical

A musical entitled Imbroll! Ta' l-Avukat Imbroll!' will be staged on Saturday at 7 p.m. at St Dominic Hall, 152, Merchant's Street, Valletta.

For bookings one can call on 2125 1112 daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or on 2124 4186 from 6 p.m. onwards. Tickets can also be purchased from the venue.

Book Launch

David Arrigo's book Twin Rocks - the Malta-Gibraltar connection will be launched on Friday at Torri ta' Lanzun, in Mensija, the world headquarters of the Military and Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem. Further information can be obtained from the author on davidarrigo@waldonet.net.mt.

Power Cuts

The electricity supply will be suspended today in Sta Venera between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. in It-Turretta Street and parts of St Joseph and Parish streets.

What's On Today

Film
6.45 p.m. at St James Cavalier, Valletta, The Producers.

Exhibitions
9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Din l-Art Helwa, 133, Melita Street, Valletta, Maltese landscape paintings by Isabelle Borg.
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Gallery G, 4 Sir Ugo Mifsud Street, Lija, paintings and ceramics by Ebba von Versen Balzan and Julie Apap.
6 to 9 p.m., at the Società Filarmonica La Vittoria, Parish Square, Mellieha, sculptures and paintings by Antoine Farrugia and Wojtek Brockdorff.
At Artitude Gallery, Tigné Street, Sliema, paintings by Laurent Muller, Olaug Vethal, Jason Lu, Christine X and Mark Sagona among others.
At Heritage Malta, Old University Building, Merchants Street, Valletta, paintings by Matthew Kassar.
At the Italian Institute of Culture, Palace Square, Valletta, the Malta Photographic Society's annual exhibition of photography.
At the Loggia, Manoel Theatre, Valletta, paintings by 18 students of art who are being tutored by Matthew Cassar.
At the National Museum of Fine Arts, South Street, Valletta, drawings by Gilbert Calleja.
At St James Cavalier, Valletta, contemporary ceramic works from China.
At St James Cavalier, Valletta, paintings by Polena Riemann.
At the Tchaikovsky Hall, Russian Centre for Science and Culture, 36 Merchants Street, Valletta, paintings by Igor Chetvertkov.
At Vee Gee Bee Gallery, Republic Street, Valletta, paintings, drawings and prints on paper and canvas by Martin Taylor.