Social and Personal

BONELLO. On June 25, at St Philip's Hospital, to Eileen née Coreschi and Kevin, God's precious gift of a first-born daughter - SHANIA. Thanks to the gynaecologist, anaesthetist, paediatrician and all the maternity staff at the hospital.

DE GIORGIO. On June 21, at St James Capua Hospital, Sliema, to Diana née Fenech and Miguel, God's precious gift of a daughter - DEBORAH, a most welcome sister to Dawn. Deo gratias et Mariae. Thanks to the obstetrician, paediatrician, midwife Carmen Scerri and all the medical staff.

ELLUL. On June 24, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Michelle née Sammut and Aldo, God's precious gift of a son - NATHANIEL, a most welcome brother to Alistair. Special thanks to the obstetrician, midwife and maternity staff.

FORMOSA. On June 19, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Catherine née Sammut and Geoffrey, God's precious gift of a son - FRANCESCO, a most welcome brother to Luca. Deo gratias et Mariae. Special thanks to all the staff.

FORMOSA. On June 21, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Fiona née Cilia and Marvin, God's precious gift of a daughter - EMMA-JAYNE, a most welcome sister to Julian. Thanks be to God. Special thanks to midwife Ms Antoinette Formosa and Mrs Rita Borg Xuereb for their care and support.

MATHER. On June 25, at St James Capua Hospital, Sliema, to Liubov née Bystrova and Jamie, God's precious gift of a son - RICHARD SERGEY. Thanks to all the maternity staff at the hospital.

MELI BUGEJA. On June 22, at St Philip's Hospital, to Cristina née Apap Bologna and Michael, God's precious gift of a son - JAMES, a most welcome brother to Mark and Thomas. Many thanks to the obstetricians, paediatrician and all the midwives, especially Mrs Carmen Cannataci.

RIZZO. On June 12, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Kerstin née Serracino-Inglott and Chris, God's most precious gift of a daughter - MARTINA, a most welcome sister to Timmy. Praise be to God, the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Our Lady. Special thanks to our obstetrician and the maternity staff.

Marriages

Mr KEVIN GALEA, B.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc. and Miss RUTH GAUCI BORDA, B.Pharm. (Hons)
The marriage took place on June 22, at St Mary's parish church, Birkirkara, between KEVIN, younger son of Capt. and Mrs Stanley Galea of Balzan, and RUTH, daughter of Mr and Mrs Edward Gauci Borda of St Venera. Fr John Scicluna, SJ, assisted by Fr Charles Delia, SJ, Fr Stefan Attard and Fr Claude Portelli, celebrated nuptial Mass. Mrs Monica Spiteri, the bride's aunt, and Mr Stefan Sant Portanier were witnesses. The duties of best man were carried out by Mr Daniel Buhagiar. The bride was attended by her sisters, Mrs Maria Thuli, Mrs Simone Inguanez, Miss Annalise Gauci Borda and Miss Christine Gauci Borda. Michaela DeBono, the groom's niece, was flower-girl, and Andrew DeBono, the groom's nephew, was ring-bearer. Mr Stephen Galea, Mr Simon DeBono and Mr Ralph Thuli acted as ushers. A reception was later held at Castello dei Baroni, Wardija. The couple will be spending their honeymoon in Canada and Alaska.

Dr MICHAEL SPITERI, MD, MRCS (Edin.) A&E, Dip. IMC RCS (Edin.), and PETRA PACE BONICI MOMPALAO, B.Pharm. (Hons)
The marriage took place on June 23 at the Annunciation parish church, Balzan, between MICHAEL, son of Joseph and Lourdes Spiteri of Qawra, and PETRA, daughter of Robert and Ines Pace Bonici Mompalao of Sliema. Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Fr Leonard Mangion. The ceremony was witnessed by Lt. Col. Peter Cordina and Mrs Annette Coppini. Dr Patrick Farrugia carried out the duties of best man, and Kirk Pace Bonici Mompalao and Dr Reuben Grech were ushers. The bride was attended by Miss Paulan Spiteri. A reception was held afterwards at Castello Zamitello, Mgarr. The couple are spending their honeymoon in Bali, and Penang and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Ruby Wedding
Mr VINCENT VASSALLO and Ms MARYANNE GRECH

The marriage took place on July 1, 1967, at Lapsi church, St Julian's. Fr Damian Cachia officiated. Best wishes from Antoine and Audrey and grandchildren Rebecca and Luke.

Obituary

CLOSE. On June 30, EMILY, aged 89, passed away peacefully, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her loss her nephew Thomas residing in the UK, her niece Elizabeth and her husband Joseph, her niece Carmen Rose and her husband Bernard, her nephew Bernard and his wife Bernardette, her great-nephew, great-nieces, relatives and friends.
The funeral leaves St Luke's Hospital tomorrow at 1.30 p.m. for the chapel of Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 2 p.m., followed by interment.

COPE. On June 29, at St James Hospital, KENNETH, aged 90, residing in Marsascala, passed peacefully away, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his loss his beloved wife Cleo, his three stepchildren Steve, Jean and Jason, relatives and friends.
The funeral will be held at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery on Saturday at 10 a.m. Lord grant him eternal rest.

FARRUGIA. On June 19, Dr MICHAEL FARRUGIA, born in Kirkop, residing in Chester, England, passed away peacefully, aged 69. He leaves to mourn his loss his wife Mary, his son Nicholas, his daughters Catherine, Joanna, Sarah and their respective husbands and grandchildren, together with his brothers Leonard and his wife Mary Anne, Rev. Dr Joe Farrugia in Austria, Ing. Emanuel Farrugia in France, and Charlie, his sisters Sr Carmen of Jerusalem, Angela, Clare, Cettina and her husband Antoine Mangion, and Mary, Josephine, widow of his brother Benedict, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
The funeral takes place in Chester tomorrow. A Mass for the repose of his soul will be said on July 27 at 7.30 p.m. at Kirkop parish church.

HARSTON. With deep regret we announce the passing away of JOHN TREVOR at the age of 87, which happened on June 28 at Withy Bush Hospital, Pembrokeshire.

John Trevor served at RN Torpedo Depot, Msida. He is mourned by his wife Muriel, née Scorey, his sons Michael and his wife Barbara, and Peter, his beloved grandsons Alex and Max, and his family in England and in Malta. Uncle Trevor, we love you and we will miss you.

ORR. On June 28, WILLIAM, widower of Georgette née Bonello Ghio, aged 88, passed away peacefully, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his loss his children Marika and her husband Carmel Mallia, Angela and her husband Vincent Cuschieri, William and Joseph, his grandchildren Suzanne, Patricia, Lisa and their husbands, David and his fiancée, William and James, his beloved great-granddaughter Mary, his brother Fr Joseph Orr, SJ, his sister Muriel and her husband Albert Ganado, his brothers-in-law Lino and his wife Rose, Mario and his wife Marlene, Guido and his wife Monica, Luke Gauci, widower of Yvonne, Rita, widow of Louis, Louisette, widow of Maurice, and Doris, widow of Aldo, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

The funeral leaves Charella Residential Home, The Strand, Sliema, tomorrow at 8.15 a.m. for St Gregory parish church, Sliema, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 8.45 a.m., followed by interment at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers by request, but donations to Id-Dar tal-Providenza, Siggiewi, will be appreciated. Lord grant him eternal rest.

Appreciation - George Bonavia

Fr Lawrence E. Attard, OP, writes:

When George Bonavia passed away in Ottawa, Canada, on June 9, his demise brought to an end a chapter in the history of Maltese migration to Canada. George was only 19 when World War II broke out and his youth and later years were inevitably shaped by that awful event and the difficult years which were to follow. He was enlisted in the army, but soon returned to civilian life.

He developed his skill for communication when he joined the staff of Allied Malta Newspapers. His contributions were many to the three major newspapers of the time, namely, The Sunday Times, Il-Berqa and The Times of Malta. He gave regular talks on the radio, then known as Redifussion. Writing and broadcasting were to remain the two most important forces of his long life.

In 1946 George married Mary Grech by whom he had a large family. It soon dawned on him that the future in war-ravaged Malta was not a promising one. Like thousands of young people George began to seriously think of going somewhere else. His chance came in 1948 when he was accepted as one of the 500 intending migrants to Canada. In February of that year agreement had been reached to send migrants from Malta to Canada. George was on the second group which left on the ship Vulcania on June 17, 1948. Among the migrants on board were three men whose names were to be inscribed in the annals of Maltese migration to Canada. They were George Bonavia, Karmenu Sapiano and Fr Lawrence Bonavia.

George settled in Windsor, Ontario. His first job was the Ford Motor Co., but even then he kept writing about his experiences to the newspapers at Strickland House in Valletta. George admitted that he chose Windsor to be near the numerous Maltese settlement in Detroit. He published his book called Kanada - Art ta' Tama u Risq. He also contributed weekly columns to newspapers in Malta under the heading Letters from Canada. He was the founder - editor of The Malta News which for a time was the only Maltese newspaper in North America. To ensure an effective contact with his compatriots in Windsor, London and Detroit, Mr Bonavia presented a radio programme in Maltese.

In 1953, Mr Bonavia was made immigration officer and by 1965 he was transferred to Ottawa to work with the Information Service of the Immigration Department. In 1968 he was in Rome for three years, working at the Canadian Embassy. When he returned to Canada he became editor of  Kaleidoscope Canada, which was a review intended to keep informed all the ethnic groups spread across Canada. Another of George's initiatives was his Maltese in Canada, which he produced for the Directorate of Multiculturalism. He also worked with the National Library and Public Archives in collecting and preserving material related to the Maltese community in Canada.

In 1972, I was made the co-ordinator for the radio programme Migrants Magazine, for the Emigrants Commission. For the next 28years I had the privilege to collaborate with Mr Bonavia and his colleague, Mr Karmenu Sapiano, to bring to listeners here in Malta all the news about their countrymen in Canada. I cherish those tapes on which George's voice can be still heard.

George was a successful migrant who readily assimilated with the Canadian way of life and at the same time found no difficulty at all in preserving those basic tenets which make a true Maltese. I do remember very well when he explained how he managed to achieve this. He said: "I was living as a Maltese in Canada. I had not cut my ties with my homeland and I never stopped being a Maltese within the Canadian sphere of daily living".  God bless George for all he did to our migrants.

Appreciation - Maria Vittoria Grima

Mr Marcus Flores, of Ta' Xbiex, writes:

Rev. Professor George Grima's mother has died. Not insignificantly, God called her to her reward on Corpus Christi, the Feast of His Divine Son in Whose bosom she had lived and died.

By the standards of a decadent world, there was nothing of great moment in the daily life of this simple Siggiewi wife and mother, member of a dying breed who consecrated her whole life to God and family, who gave of herself so generously, and who bore and raised ten children to love Our Lord and live in awe of Him: Nothing to write home about, as the saying goes... another death, another expiry, and life goes on... the show, say the pseudo-sophisticates, just goes on and on and on...

"Ou Dieu vous a semé, il faut savoir fleurir", and, unlike the sophists, Maria Vittoria knew why she was here; she knew what the Almighty expected of her, and she knew where she was going.

Life, for her, did not end with death, and she needed no erudite philosopher or theologian to tell her so, or to clinch in her convictions. In her innocent simplicity, she believed in the existence of profound mysteries with that certainty which always eludes so many with degrees and what-have-you under their belt. With mind, heart and gut she grasped what Christ reveals to the humble but always denies the proud. As Carl Jung used to say: "I do not have to believe: I know."

"My life is my message", and so was Maria Vittoria's; the finite human mind cannot quite grasp the concepts of infinity and eternity, so we will have to descend to a simpler, albeit somewhat imprecise, phraseology to make our point. Through the time-dimension, aeons before her birth, even aeons before the creation of the world, she mitigated Christ's Gethsemane, and the terrible suffering of His entire passion and death, by the suffering she would have to endure. Struck by disease at the early age of 38, most of her last years were "blighted" by illness and a highly-reduced mobility which she accepted not with Stoic "magnanimity", but with the firm belief that she had to suffer as Her beloved Saviour had done before her to prepare a home for her beyond the hill called Calvary.

As one Italian priest put it: "Chi accetta con rassegnazione quello che Dio permette, vive il destino di Cristo." Not the so-called "il-miktub", of course, which is often the mistaken interpretation of destiny so beloved of many Maltese!

For Christ, too, had a destiny, and His destiny was the fulfilment of the will of the Father. Here, too, she walked in His footsteps. She never flinched or wavered; indeed, she was a guiding-light, a joyfully-flickering little lamp which radiated warmth and love and altruism in the darkness, the suffering and the savage egoism of a cruel, deceptive and faithless world.

She looked at life sub specie aeternitatis; she embraced the durable, shunned the ephemeral, and lived by the perennial, evergreen and absolute values encapsulated in Christ's teachings of which the Catholic Church is and will remain sole custodian till the end of time. Thus, she becomes a role model for all Maltese of goodwill, and, especially, for all girls and women and mothers of goodwill. For to love is to give of self without counting the costs, without expecting anything in return. And love is measured by the amount of sacrifice we are prepared to suffer for the objects of our affections.

In an age where Catholic boys and girls, and even grown-ups, for that matter, make idols and role models of worldly singers and film "stars" and agents of Satan, Grima remains a tower of fortitude for those who would carry their Cross and follow Him who is the light, the truth and the way, whose yoke is sweet and burden light. She knew that "To serve Him is to reign; to possess Him is to possess all things." Men may come, and men may go; feet of clay will come to dust; but Maria will remain a benchmark of true womanhood, a yardstick of real femininity, a standard by which all the others will be judged.

Ciao, Maria Vittoria, until we meet again. I hope that Maria Vittoria prays that we may die as she died, with Christ on our minds, on our lips, and in our hearts.

Requiem Masses

Tomorrow being the first anniversary of the passing away of PAUL MIFSUD, a Mass for the repose of his soul will be said at 6.45 p.m. at the Mother of Good Counsel parish church, Paceville. Fondly remembered by his children Ronald, Norman and Derek and their respective families. May God grant him eternal rest.

A Mass for the repose of the soul of MICHAEL MIZZI will be said tomorrow at 6.30 p.m. at Tas-Samra chapel, Hamrun, together with Mass and prayers at Id-Dar tal-Providenza, Siggiewi, one month after his demise. The family would like to thank all those who attended the funeral and those who mourned his loss. May God grant him eternal peace.

On the third anniversary of the demise of PHILIP SAID PULLICINO, today's 7 p.m. Mass at Jesus of Nazareth parish church, Sliema, will be offered for the repose of his soul.

In Memoriam

AGIUS - TESSIE. Unfading memories of a beloved and devoted mother, who was called to a higher life in the service of the Lord 27 years ago. Sadly missed and still deeply loved by her son, daughters, in-laws and grandchildren. A prayer is solicited.

AGIUS-FERRANTE. In ever loving memory of MARY, a dear mother and grandmother. Always in our thoughts and prayers. Her daughters Sr Anne Agius Ferrante and Evelyn Calleja and her grandchildren.

AZZOPARDI - JOSEPH (Il-Legli). In loving memory of a dear husband, father and grandfather on the third anniversary of his death, 28.6.'04. Sadly missed but never forgotten by his wife Grace, his children Paul and his wife Carmen, Carmen and her husband Vincent Testa, Joseph and his wife Mary, Nathalie, and grandchildren. May he rest in peace.

CARUANA - WALTER, died July 1, 1947. Always remembered in our prayers. His children Lillian, Rosemarie Sansone, daughter-in-law Iris and grandchildren.

DEBONO - EDWIN (ex-headteacher, Qrendi Primary and ex-secretary, St Cajetan Band Club, Hamrun). In loving memory of a dear husband and father, July 3 the 17th anniversary of his death. Your loving wife Mary, daughters Myriam, Jennifer and Elizabeth and their families.

DELICATA - FRANCIS. Treasured memories of a much loved and never forgotten husband, father and grandfather on the 25th anniversary of his passing away. May he rest in eternal peace. His wife Carmen, his children and their families.

ELLUL. Everlasting memories of JOSEPH on the fourth anniversary of his passing away. Remembered by his sisters Mary and Lina, their husbands, nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends. May the Lord grant him eternal rest.

FARRUGIA. In loving memory of DORIS of Zurrieq, July 6 the fifth anniversary of her demise. Deeply missed by her cousin Joyce, Charlie, Andy, Janica and auntie Katie. She lives forever in our hearts. We kindly ask that you remember her in your prayers.

GRECH BELANGER. Treasured memories of our dearly beloved ODETTE who passed away on July 4, 1990, in Quebec, Canada. Always in our thoughts and prayers. Parents John, Bice and family.

MALLIA. Cherished memories of a beloved mother and grandmother, THERESE, née Scerri, on the first anniversary of her demise. Fondly remembered by her children Albert, Monika, Miriam and Margaret, in-laws and grandchildren. Always in our thoughts and prayers.

NAUDI. In ever loving memory of MARIO, a beloved father and grandfather, on his 27th anniversary.
Truly you are gone
From our lives

But still living
In our hearts
Always in our thoughts and prayers, but especially today. His three sons Malcolm, Steven and James, spouses and grandchildren. A Mass for his repose will be celebrated today at 9.45 a.m. at Ta' l-Ibrag parish church. God grant him eternal rest.

RIZZO. In ever loving memory of our beloved mother MARY VICTORIA née Xuereb on the ninth anniversary of her demise. Her sons and daughters, in-laws, grandchildren, nephews and nieces.

VELLA. Loving memories of JESSIE, née Gatt on the 24th anniversary of her death. Her children Louise, Mary, Victoria and Leonard, her in-laws and grandchildren. Praise be to Jesus and Mary.

Correction

The sentence in the profile of Dr Jevon Vella in the 'Heard in the Hive' last Sunday should have read: "He is the first local architect to be awarded a Ph.D. in training in conservation and restoration."

Pharmacies Open Today

9 a.m.-noon
Vilhena Pharmacy, 37, St Anne Street, Floriana;
Colonial Pharmacy, 706, St Joseph High Road, Hamrun;
Lantern Pharmacy, Misrah il-Kebbies, St Venera;
Rational Pharmacy, 74/75, Valley Road, Birkirkara;
D'Argens Pharmacy, 330, Rue D'Argens, Gzira;
San Gwann Pharmacy, 11, Felic Borg Street, San Gwann;
The Economical Dispensary, 86/87, Sir Adrian Dingli Street, Sliema;
Iklin Pharmacy, Geronimo Abos Street, Iklin;
Rotunda Pharmacy, 7, Eucharistic Congress Road, Mosta;
El Medina Chemist, Triq il-Fliegu, Qawra;
Portelli's Dispensary, 1, Luqa Street, Paola;
Alpha Pharmacy, 'Maria Immaculata', Cospicua Road c/w Cottoner Avenue, Fgura;
St James Pharmacy, Peace Square, Zabbar;
St Catherine Pharmacy, Bishop Emanuel Galea Street, Zejtun;
Kirkop Pharmacy, 9, Parish Street, Kirkop;
Spizerija Hal-Mula, Dun Salv Ciappara Street, Zebbug;
Ideal Pharmacy, 63, Main Street, Rabat;
Tac-Cawla Pharmacy, 7th June 1919 Street, Victoria, Gozo;
St John's Pharmacy, Independence Street, Xewkija.