Appreciation - Joseph Vella

John Falzon, writes:

Joseph, former chairman of Ballut Blocks Ltd, better known as Ġużepp tal-Ballut, went to meet the Risen Lord on January 15. I got to know Ġużepp about 50 years ago. During all this time I found out that Ġużepp was a born gentleman. I travelled with him on business several times and attended fairs exhibiting building construction machinery and equipment. It is from these travels that I got to know him better. His first experience in the construction industry was soon after the last world war, when he used to remove debris from demolished buildings. He was a self-made man, with vision and foresight, when, in the early 1950s, he introduced the first loading shovel in Malta. He was considered a pioneer in the building industry when, through the introduction of new machinery, he converted the industry from manual to mechanical. In the 1960s, he introduced new equipment for the manufacture of concrete blocks. He was instrumental to persuade foreign manufacturers to modify their equipment so as to make it adaptable to meet local requirements. He also introduced the first trucks with self-loading and unloading mechanisms.

His business contacts used to seek his guidance and genuine advice. He enjoyed great respect by everyone who knew him, including his business competitors. He was an exemplary husband and father, with a very strong moral and religious character. He was very well known by the residents of Mġarr, Malta, who looked on him as a "special person" who contributed a lot to his Mġarr. In 2004, he was honoured and awarded Ġieħ I-Imġarr for his contributions and assistance to the parish and religious organisations.

My condolences to his wife, family and friends.