Monday, 13th October 2008 - 18:44CET
Parliament pays glowing tribute to Karl Chircop
The House of Representatives this evening heard moving tributes to Labour MP Karl Chircop, who passed away yesterday, aged 43.
Flowers and a large picture were placed on the seat usually occupied by Dr Chircop as the Speaker, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition led the tributes to the MP of 12 years.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said this was a moment of profound sadness for the House. All had been shocked when Dr Chircop fell ill and the country had united in its hopes and prayers for a recovery. The country was now united in mourning for a man who despite being young, had contributed to the progress of this country.
Dr Gonzi recalled that when he was Social Policy Minister in 1998, Dr Chircop was shadow minister. Their debates, he said, were occasionally tough but Dr Chircop was "elegant in his delivery of an argument despite being tough".
Dr Chircop always believed in what he said. He was dedicated to his values and used those values in the service of his country. He viewed politics as an instrument to serve the people.
Clearly he was always in close contact with the people, not least because he was a family doctor. He also respected his political opponents and differing views.
“His was a substantial and substantive contribution to the country” Dr Gonzi said. He hoped that Dr Chircop’s family would draw comfort from this as they mourned a dear husband and father.
Dr Gonzi expressed his condolences to the family on behalf of the government.
Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat said this was a loss for the country, the MLP and his parliamentary colleagues.
The country had lost a worthy representative of the people, a person who, like many on both sides of the House, put the interests of the people and the nation before anything else.
The MLP had lost a loyal worker who respected the party’s ideals. Karl grew up in a worker’s family and never forgot his roots.
He had personally lost a friend with whom he had shared ups and downs.
Dr Chircop was a person who was frank in his views. He was not a yes man and would make his views known, even if they were unpalatable for some.
Dr Muscat said Dr Chircop had taken up his task as shadow minister for health with enthusiasm.
However there were two memories which were particularly enduring. The first was that despite his packed diary, Dr Chircop always found time for his family. The second was the donation of his organs. His wife Adriana had told him she was sure that would have been Dr Chircop's wish. He, therefore, was of service to others to the very end.
This should serve as an example to encourage organ donations which would give new hope to other people.
Dr Muscat also paid tribute to Dr Chircop’s mother Marion, who first lost her husband and now her son, practically in the same manner.
Dr Muscat on behalf of the family thanked Parliamentary Secretary Joe Cassar who had always been close to the family and had done his best to help.
He also expressed condolences to the family on behalf of the opposition.
The Speaker, Louis Galea, referred to the many tributes by individuals and organisations and said they were all well deserved. As an MP, Dr Chircop was always well prepared. He grasped the details of an argument and had worked effectively to improve legislation. He had practiced the vocation of a politician with success. He was an example of honesty ,integrity and loyalty which should be mirrored by everyone.
The House then observed a minute's silence and adjourned as a mark of respect.
Earlier today, the Labour Party said it had opened a book of condolence for Dr Chircop.
The members of the Labour parliamentary group led by Opposition leader Joseph Muscat, were the first to sign the book in the foyer of Labour HQ this afternoon.
The book will be open to the public between tomorrow and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The parliamentary group observed a minute’s silence for Dr Chircop at the start of a meeting this afternoon. It also expressed its solidarity with his widow Adriana and their children Jan, Francesca, Christian and Keith, his mother Marion and the rest of the family.
Flags on party clubs are to fly at half mast till Wednesday.
Comments
R I P Karl Chircop. A Great Loss for Malta
May God keep you in his arms forever.
He then looked down upon his earth and saw your loving face.
He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest.
His Garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering, he knew you were in pain.
And knew that you would never get well on earth again.
He saw your path was difficult, he closed you tired eyes, You've left us precious memories, your love will be our guide,
You live on through your children, .
It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone.
For part of us went with you on the day God called you home
pauline agius st.lucija
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last for ever: I was wrong.
The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good.
Fond times remembered by your old fellow students, and sorrow that as many others have mentioned losing Karl is a National loss, a Doctor, a friend, a father, a husband and a rare breed of politician.
R.I.P
You will always be remembered Karl.
Joseph Ellu and Family Toronto, Canada.
Malta lost a gentleman but above all your family lost a great husband, father, son, and brother.
My sincere and deepest condolences.
Loredana Gatt, Italy.
Rudolph
He will be missed by his family, by the labour party, by his constituents and by his patients and by all those who respect good human values. Karl is gone, but we sincerely hope he will not be forgotten.
Id-dawl ta' dejjem jiddi fuqu, jistrieh fis-sliem, Amen.
Emanuel & Imelda.
Condolences to your family. God bless you.
We've lost a true politician, a doctor, a fellow Red but most of all an honest gentleman! May God be with his family in this difficult time!
He will be sadly missed in every sphere of life he was into.
May God give the strength and courage to his family in this very difficult moment.
Rest in peace Karl.
Sincere condolences to your wife Adriana and all the family.
I appeal to the Gudja or St. Lucija Local Councils to name a street for this ultra-honest politician so that his ideals will last longer than the tributes being showered on him at this stage.
Condolences to his close family members and friends.
The Dash [2]
If we could just slow down enough
to consider what's true and real,
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile...
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read
with your life's actions to rehash...
would you be proud of the things they
say about how you spend your dash?
Dear Karl, you have fulfilled your dash!
I met Karl a couple of years ago, though briefly, through Adriana when we were on a lovely holiday together with our respective families and children; even though I knew his sister Marisa long before. The following poem might express what at the moment I fail to say:
The Dash [1]
(copyright 1996 Linda Ellis)
I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning...to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth...
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own;
the cars....the house...the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard...
are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
that can still be rearranged.
.................................................to be continued
Sincere condolences to Adriana and all the family.
Marika and family
May he rest in peace.
Charles and Connie.
Adrian Grech
My Condolences to all his family.
Stefan Grech
Brussels
Brian Vassallo
Hamrun
Not what did he gained, but what did he give?
These are the units to measure the worth
Of a man as a man, regardless of birth.
Not, what was his church, nor what was his creed?
But had he befriended those really in need?
Was he ever ready, with word of good cheer,
To bring back a smile, to banish a tear?
Not what did the sketch in the newspaper say,
But how many were sorry when he passed away.
Thanks for being a great doctor, politician, and a friend to our family. RIP and take care of your family from above.
Thank you Karl, Rest in peace we will keep on praying for you and your Family.
Rest In Peace.
Sincere condolences to family Chircop.
Darba rajtha ‘x-xemx niezla
Kont bilqeghda ftit hosbien
Konna biss jiena w sema
Meta l-jum wasal fit-tmiem
Meta xemx b’dak l-isfar taghha
Taht il-bahar marret tinheba
U d-dalma bdiet tinfirex
U l-lejla ftit ftit tinhema
Hassejt fawra tiel’ ghal-wicci
Rabbejt gwienah u xtaqt intir
Hassejt sahha barranija
U bhall-ajkla xtaqt insir
Biex fil-gholi u fl-oghli nitla
Fejn hemm ferh, fejn hemm il-kwiet
Fejn inkunu biss jien u Alla
U nitkellmu biss bis-skiet
May you rest in peace!
doctor, a true politician and a friend. For many years I have valued your
friendship, kindness and thoughtfulness. I will miss you especially on the
TV programme 'Flimkien'. Sincere condololences to Adriana and all the family.
No one knows each other but when it comes, everyone console each other.
I do not know Dr. Chircop but from what i heard he would surely go out of his way to HELP.
Now i read that he was a RED, a LIVERPOOL MAN like me.
How many times have we heard the song, OUR SONG - You Never Walk Alone - This means everything for a Liverpool Supporter even if no Trophy would have been won.
We know how the stadium, Anflied was last year in May when a Kid 14years old lost his battle with stomach cancer how supportive they were before the Champions League Semi Final and by hearing the song how it goes into you. I am sure how Dr. Chircop would have felt about it.
May God Bless his Family. A Doctor is Never to be forgotten
AS A LIVERPOOL FAN LIKE YOU I`LL TELL YOU THAT YOU SHALL NEVER WALK ALONE KARL! SEE YOU SOMEDAY IN THE NEXT LIFE MY FRIEND WHERE HOPEFULLY WE SHALL SUPPORT OUR BELOVED TEAM THERE!
Terence Chetcuti
You have gone to rest. I just hope that in my life God will give me the grace of being of service and of doing at least 1 gramme of the infinite tonnes of good you did!. You were an example to us all. I will never forget the time we spent together as kids.
You will always be in our hearts
YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE.
Antoine Vella
YOU NEVER WALK ALONE
When you walk, through the storm
Hold you head up high
And don't be afraid , Of the dark
At the end of the storm, is a golden sky
And sweet silver song of our love
Walk on, through the wind
Walk on, through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed
And walk,
Oh, walk on (walk on)
walk on (walk on)
Walk on(walk on)
With hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone
You'll never walk alone
Deepest condolences to his family on this great loss and worthy praise for having in this most difficult of moments decided to be so altruistic and donate his organs so that others may live.
You are real Christians.
My condolences go to his wife and his family. Malta lost a great a great honest gentleman.
Condolences to family Chircop.
family delia
paola
Rest in peace my friend
Tony, Angele, Liam & Kelly Azzopardi
My condolences go to Adriana and his four children in this difficult moment.
Rest in Peace Karl.
My condolences go to his wife, his four kids and family.
Rest in Peace Karl.
May Karl's approach of doing things both in his professional life as well as in politics will serve as an example to others.
My deepest sympathy to his wife Adriana, his four children as well as his mother.
Karl, 'You'll never walk alone'.
From: a PN and United supporter.
YNWA
David Buttigieg
Claudette Pace
Strieh ghal dejjem fil-paci li qieghed fiha issa u idhak bina ghax fl-injoranza taghna naraw sa mnehirna - ninsew li ghadek maghna!
nirringrazzja l'Alla tad-drabi kollha li sibtek meta kont fil-bzonn.
l-ispirtu tieghek u ta nies bhalek ma jmut qatt.
narak.
michael
Hold you head up high
And don't be afraid , Of the dark
At the end of the storm, is a golden sky
And sweet silver song of our love
Walk on, through the wind
Walk on, through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed
And walk,
Oh, walk on (walk on)
walk on (walk on)
Walk on(walk on)
With hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone
You'll never walk alone
Alone
May you rest in peace.
I express my deepest sympathy to his wife Adriana and his four children.
Rest in Peace Karl
He deserves it for being a very good citizen who always put as a priority the interests of others before his.
An exemplary politician.
My condolences go to his wife and all the family in this difficult moment.
Rest in peace my friend.
The short line your wrote means a lot. Dr. Karl Chircop will remain a beacon to us, even in his death. As a true Liverpoolian, maybe many a times he sung their popular and hearfelt encouragement which the true Reds give to the team. Yes ' Liverpool never walk alone'.
So do us, because Almighty God even in our deepest moments of sorry and suffering, never foresake us.HE will walk with us.
Yes it is a pity to see an exampe character like Dr. Chircop taken away from us so soon, but we should all find console that the short period Dr. Chircop spent among us on this planet, had left many indelible virtues, both politically and human wise, Why the hands of God is embracing such a genteleman, and we are bereaving his loss, let us be encouraged by his faith, fortitutde and loyalty.
Karl as a true liverpool fan, even from Heaven, will testify that we who so far are still here will never walk alone, as Almighty God guide us in his pathway to Heaven.
Adriana and children, be as strong as Karl in this difficult moment. You will never walk alone.
We lost you but you're still in our hearts, sometimes it's difficult to accept why God takes our good people from earth to join him.
You was always with a smile on your face and you had a good character to share with your constituents, with those who had used your service as a doctor and aswell with all those who knew you through your political career.
You will never be forgotten by Malta and Gozo citizens for what you have done, you will be always in our hearts.
Karl, pray for all of us especially for your beloved family and for Malta and Gozo.
Rest In Peace.
A big THANK YOU for all you did with my mother whilst suffering ill health. You were always there.
May you enjoy your rewards in heaven
Bugeja family-Paola
Thank you for everything you have done with us.
May God be with your family in this hard time of a great loss.
Freddie and Mary (Gudja)
THAT WHAT THIS MAN HAD DONE THROUGH LIFE AND AFTER.
MAY THE BLESSED HELP HIS FAMILY.
MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE.
My deepest sympathy to Adriana, his dear Mother and his dear ones. May God give his family all the strength needed in this difficult moment.
KARL - We shall miss you.
We have lost a dear friend.
Our condolences go to Adriana and all the family in this difficult moment.
Louis, Gemma & Family
god bless you
Karl, we cannot text each other any longer, but I know you are, and will remain, close to us all. Please intervene for us with the Almighty.
Marica and I offer our profound condolences to Adriana, the children and all the family.
I will never forget the last time we met in a wedding reception where we talked for long on football over a glass of wine. Your charisma was amazing. We will never forget you.
May the Almighty God receive you in his arms and grant you eternal rest.
John Zammit
Sliema
His family is in deep mourning but at least there must be a feeling of comfort that whatever could be done was done both at Mater Dei as well as the hospital in London.
The outpouring sympathy from the political and medical circles as well as of the general public, indicates what type of person Karl was and even if one did not know him personally, the depth of the loss is indeed felt.
May his fellow politicians take the lead from Karl who is unanimously regarded as putting the Nation's interest before else and has set an example of how sound principles should be adhered to unconditionally.
May he rest in peace.
Your cousin Eddie and Family
The sun is burned and black
The book of life is silent
No turning back
Only the good die young
All the evil seem to live forever
RIP Karl - God has taken you from this evil world because you were so good.
It was a privilege knowing you, exchange ideas with you sometimes agreeing others disagreeing. It was a privilege travelling with you almost a year ago. It was also a big privilege talking to you the day before that sad moment which took you away from us.
Heartfelt goodbye habib. You will be missed.
James Piscopo
John, Fiona, Yanika, Andrew & Matthew
ITS very sad that you left us at this young age.In politics you was the perfect gentleman.
We are going to miss you,we are going to miss that smile on your face, and most of all we are going to miss a dedicated doctor.
Karl, you are gone but never forgotten.
YNWA Karl. Deepest sympathy to your loved ones.
Rest In peace and may good be a guiding light to the family suffering this loss.
Oliver Cini
P.A. Rudolph Cini
Thanks Karl may you rest in peace.
Condolences to the bereaved may the good Lord bless you and holds you in this hour of grief.
Yvette, Louis & Carmen Camenzuli.
Myself being an electronics technician , I recall times when his main tv went faulty and he used to ring me up to repair his tv as soon as I could , himself being afraid to lose the coming Liverpool match .
We shall never forget you !
Dear Dr. Karl Chicop, May Allah bless your soul with peace and rest and grant you eternal heaven and MAY ALLAH ALMIGHTY BE PLEASED WITH YOU.
Condolences to all family, May Allah grant comfort and patience to you all, I have great feeling of sincerity for you.
Death of Mr. Karl is a big loss for our country, he was such a great man who was serving the mankind. Although I never met him but when ever saw him on television, saw him smiling, he was such a nice man. May Allah grant our beloved country such people like him who could also serve the country and mankind.
He might be gone, but the memories will remain forever in our hearts and minds.
this hour of need. My most sincere condolences.
My condolences go to his family and my thoughts are with them in these difficult times.
our prayers are with the Chircop family
Malta has lost a promising politician but Karl's memory will live on. Sta. Lucia has lost an exemplary figure and a hard working family doctor. Malta's political scene has lost a man of integrity and a man of decency. It is hard to fathom such circumstances !
My condolences go to Adriana and his family in this difficult moment. May you rest in peace Karl.
Pray for us.
May you rest in peace and my condolences to your family. You will be remembered in our prayers.
A very well respected colleague.
I and my family give our sincere condolences to his wife and family in this difficult moment.
GOD BLESS YOU KARL
John Camilleri
Rest in Peace Karl and pray for us from up there as our values are slowly whitering away. You believed in the right values, sacrifice, love for your country and compassion and service towards the ill fated in our society. Condolences to family Chircop also.
CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY.
REST IN PEACE.
Condolences to family Chircop.
May you rest forever in peace Dr Chircop! Condolences to your family!
Condolences to family Chircop.
Dr. Karl will certainly continue to live on with the kindness he always showed in life and but also in death.
No one knows whether death, which people fear to be the greatest evil, may not be the greatest good.
Plato
Condolences to family Chircop may he rest in peace.
You'll Never Walk Alone
Jeff Kawki
Roderick, Roxanne, Neil & Lara
The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want.
He makes me down to lie
In pastures green; He leadeth me
The quiet waters by.
My soul He doth restore again;
And me to walk doth make
Within the paths of righteousness,
Even for His own Name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale,
Yet will I fear no ill;
For Thou art with me; and Thy rod
And staff my comfort still.
My table Thou hast furnishèd
In presence of my foes;
My head Thou dost with oil anoint,
And my cup overflows.
Goodness and mercy all my life
Shall surely follow me;
And in God’s house forevermore
My dwelling place shall be.
RIP. May the Lord embrace you in His arms, and console Your loved ones.
Karl rest in Peace! May God grant you eternal peace and will comfort your family.
Rest in peace my dear friend!
Joseph Cuschieri
Ex colleague in Parliament
May the Good Lord take you in His Arms, Karl.. Thank you for all you have done to the Maltese Nation as a whole, but in particular to the Workers Class and the Labour Party.
Malta has just lost a true Gentleman, Politician and a Family Man.
Our sincere deepest condolences to the Chircop Family..
Mike & Family
We lost a true HERO.
God Bless
Tony
Rest in Peace
kullhadd hadem hemm felah biex nergaw naraw il Karl maghna imma il Mulej riedu. Issa KARL li naf zgur li diga qieghed tgawdi, itlob ghal ghaziza mara tieghek, u ghal 4 uliedek u ghalina ukoll. Grazzi Karl. You never walk alone,
I LOST A FRIEND OF TRUST.
To his wife Adriana and children: You missed a faithful husband and a loving father.
He will look after you from High above.
Michael Bonnici
ex colleague in Parliament
Zebbug.
May he rest in peace.
Enjoy you eternal peace .
Charles& Rose.
May God's hand reach out to heal and comfort his family now and in the days ahead.
He was pleasant, energetic and positive, and he transmitted to everyone a sense of confidence that used to bring you up whenever you were down. My family and I will miss him. Our thoughts are with Adriana and his four children.
Fleur, Gavin, Martina and Luigi
I gather you were a pillar of principles and kindness. We are only left with your memory and good examples - let the light shine through and illuminate this dark patch so that the ones you loved and left behind may find their path.
May God grant you eternal peace.
This is the moment when one realises how many people have been lucky to count you as their friend..not only in life, but also at your death...mourning the loss of a friend...you will truly never walk alone.
Sincere condolences to the Chirchop family in this hour of deep sorrow from Chris, Jacqueline, Rachel and little Roxanne (mummy ha jtini injection ohra?).
May God bless his family with the strength to deal with this tragedy. Along with my family, friends and employees we would like to give our deepest condolences to Karl’s family.
We will definitely miss you.
You'll Never Walk Alone
I am sure he was a good person......may rest in pace Karl......Pray for us.
Malta lost a genuine politician,
a loving father and husband,
May God assist his family in this difficult time.
Rest in Peace Karl
YNWA
RIP
May God be with your family and give them strength especially in this sorrowful moment that they are going through.
We shall always remember you as a shining light.
Tomorrow at Parliament we shall remember Karl at the beginning of the session.
The highest Institution of our country will surely feel the loss of this great gentleman and politician.
My deepest sympathy to his fine family!
Moments like these are difficult to get to grips with.
Only faith can see us through.
He will forever be remembered by all his friends.
I will surely be missing a great friend and my family doctor . Our thoughts are with you Adriana and all your family.
Karl we shall miss you as a colleague, a friend and as one of the few guys around with a sense of humour! He was a joy to work with, always eager to seek advice, to share opinions and to crack the latest joke. His political commitment was for real.
This is indeed a moment of grief, sorrow and deep reflection.
Your were more than a doctor and politician.
May you rest in peace my friend.
May his work and attitude never be forgotten and may he rest in Peace.
May you rest in peace.
Condolences to all the family
RIP
F'Karl issib dan kollu li l-gid li ghamel tul il-hajja se jibqa ghal ghomorna maghna.
Grazzi Karl
sean
Thank You Karl! May you Rest in Peace in heaven
My condolences to all the family
Deep sympathy with his family.