Appreciation - Joe Mazzola

Monica and Albert Cauchi write:

If you have never been crushed to near death while being embraced, then you never knew Joe Mazzola.

Big, rough, forceful and very loud, that was Joe. But his heart was as big as his hands were rough. He was a man of principle and if he believed in something there was no way to get your opinion through to him.

His daily shopping consisted of popping in and out of most of the shops in San Ġwann, some just to wish people a good day.

More often than not, this ended up with his meeting his friends at the corner bar for coffee. His face was always radiant and his smile contagious. When he came into a room, everyone cheered up.

His relationship with Joanna turned the big hunk into the affectionate gentleman, who could never do enough for her or her girls, Paula and Petra.

He had a way of spoiling anyone he was fond of, and he took such care of his mother and other relatives, all of whom adored him as much as he adored them. To them, as well as to Joanna, Paula and Petra, our deepest sympathy.

His decline was fast and devastating and no one could believe that such a big heart could be silenced so quickly. As one of his friends stated at his funeral, "the world's gone quiet now!"

Mazzola, thanks for your friendship, your support, your big heart and your open hands.