Frank Mercieca (1937-2011)

Fr Geoffrey G. Attard writes:

On November 9, Victoria and the entire island of Gozo lost one of its unsung scholars, Frank Mercieca of Pjazza Tomba or St Augustine’s Square, at it is now known.

I have known Frank for the last decade or so and I have spent many an hour of conversation when the subject was always the same: the Maltese language. Frank, who was well read in the literature of our native language but especially in grammar, was able to quote from Ninu Cremona’s grammar as if it were his own work.

He was an avid reader of books with a special love for Melitensia.

He used to show me his collection of such periodicals as Santa Rita or Il-Ħabbar ta’ Sant’Antin, which used to adorn his library, Frank referred to his books as his greatest friends. When he was younger, he had attended a course in Glasgow, polishing his encyclopaedic knowledge of Maltese flora and fauna.

He was also good at writing poetry and, lately, he put together some of Mary Meilak’s best poems that had not yet been published.

He also had in his possession the poetry of Mgr Giuseppe Farrugia Gioioso who was for many years the main librarian at the Gozo Public Library in Victoria.

I will always cherish the hours I spent with him discussing Maltese over a cup of tea at Frank’s favourite pub in St George’s Square.

Dear Frank, we shall all miss you terribly! Together with Cardinal Newman’s Gerontius we may repeat: Farewell, but not forever! May God give you eternal rest!