Żejtun fireworks victim mourned

Mourners packed the Żejtun parish church yesterday to bid farewell to former sacristan John Abela who died from injuries following a fireworks explosion last week.

Known as Ġanni s-Sagristan, Mr Abela died on Saturday having suffered burns to 90 per cent of his body in an explosion at St Catherine's fireworks factory in Marsaxlokk on May 3. "This is the end of a chapter in our lives in which Ġanni was among us... Most of us were brought up knowing him as the church sacristan," Żejtun parish priest Fr Eric Overend said in his homily.

Mr Abela, 62, served as sacristan for about 40 years and retired two years ago. He was married and had three sons, a daughter and five grandchildren.

Many knew him for his passion for the village feast of St Catherine as he spent many hours every day organising the annual activities.

"This is a time of trial for many. You may be asking yourselves why this happened. The fact that his death happened so suddenly makes it even harder to understand... One of the messages here is that one single moment can change or end our lives and we need to be prepared.

"That is why the question we should ask ourselves is: How is my relationship with God and with the people around me?" Fr Overend said.

The funeral started at about 3 p.m. when members of the Żejtun Band Club, Beland Band and other neighbouring clubs marched behind the coffin carried from St Angelo chapel to the parish church.

After Mass, the coffin was carried out of the church, stopping in front of the statue of St Catherine as people lined the streets and applauded. The bands then accompanied the coffin to St Gregory chapel for burial as fireworks enthusiasts fired a salute to Mr Abela.

Mr Abela, who was the fireworks factory's licence holder, was preparing fireworks for the village feast when the explosion occurred. The day after the blast, his right leg was amputated and he was given the Last Rites.

His 39-year-old son, Salvu, Mario Farrugia, 29, and Anthony Farrugia, 42 - who were also at the fireworks factory - escaped unharmed while Pierre Mifsud, 33, injured his hand.

The explosion led to the cancellation of the feast's outdoor activities next month.