Renzo Grima, the Gozitan soldier who died yesterday after a motorcycle accident last week, had a great heart and knew how to love, his mother, Paula, said.
He was a good friend, he respected his family and everyone loved him, Mrs Grima said.
Gunner Grima, 30, succumbed to his injuries after he was involved in a traffic accident in Mġarr Road, Għajnsielem, on August 27.
Mr Grima was on his way to work when he was thrown off his Honda in a crash involving a Kia car. His helmet was found 30 metres away from the motorcycle, together with some other personal possessions.
Describing her son as a true man who was very active in the Għarb parish, Mrs Grima said he was very religious. "He was a very happy boy. He loved to hunt and worked hard for his family," she said, before breaking down in tears.
Even his superior within the army, Captain Nicholas Cassar, had nothing but words of praise for the young man. He was an obedient and disciplined soldier with strong leadership capabilities, Capt. Cassar said. "He was always ready to give a helping hand," he said adding that the soldier would be sorely missed by the whole company.
He had joined the C (Special Duties) Section in 2003 and was a friend of Matthew Psaila who died during a training exercise at Chadwick Lakes last February.
Messages of condolence and support flowed in on a Facebook group set up after news of his death emerged. One message was left from Mr Psaila's account and said: "I never imagined I would have an army buddy come to join me so quickly in the Lord's army. We assure our loved ones that we will be holding hands and praying for you all so that you might find peace in your faith in God. Gunner Matthew Psaila 87105".
His girlfriend, Eileen-Marie Vella, left him a message saying life was empty and meaningless without him: "I really can't understand why you left me alone like this... I loved you so much."
Mr Grima would ride his bike every morning to Mġarr to meet his army colleagues. Leaving the bike there, they would take the ferry together to Ċirkewwa in a car and drive to the barracks.
Mr Grima was a blood donor and his family have donated his organs.