“Always fly the Maltese flag on the highest peak”, former President Ċensu Tabone often told his grandchildren but yesterday the country’s flags flew at half mast as Malta saluted his memory and his body was laid to rest.

I pray his example will serve as an inspiration to others- Pope Benedict

Looking pale and sombre, his wife Maria maintained a stoic presence throughout the Mass at St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta as she clutched white rosary beads.

Surrounded by her large family, she followed attentively every step taken by the soldiers who carried her husband’s coffin draped in the Maltese flag in and out of the church.

From the back seat of a car driving behind the military carriage carrying the coffin, she acknowledged the spontaneous applause of people gathered along the route taken by the cortege.

In St George’s Square, where the state funeral started, a lone voice shouted “addio Ċensu”. He died on Wednesday aged 98, just two weeks short of his birthday.

In their bidding prayers, Dr Tabone’s grandchildren reminisced about a relative who imparted “Christian values” and taught them the importance of “helping and listening to others”.

He was very much a nannu Ċensu shared with the rest of the country in the many public roles he occupied as a leading ophthalmologist, politician, minister and President.

Dr Tabone had started his five-year term as president in 1989 with the Labour Party boycotting his office. But when it came to an end in 1994 he had earned everyone’s respect, with then opposition leader Alfred Sant even suggesting he stay on for a second term.

It was this personality, a conciliatory grandfather, who was remembered yesterday with Dr Sant also present in a packed church.

In his homily, Archbishop Paul Cremona offered words of consolation to the family. “Dr Tabone has not been exiled from this earth, even though this is what we may feel, because he is going back home to eternity.”

When referring to the Gospel reading about the blind man of Jericho healed by Christ, in a twist to what many thought would be an obvious comparison, Mgr Cremona compared Dr Tabone to the blind man who called out for help. “He often turned to God to ask for help and guidance when taking important decisions to make sure they were in the country’s best interest,” Mgr Cremona said. He added Dr Tabone attended Mass daily and was devoted to the Virgin Mary, and his actions were inspired by his Christian faith. Pope Benedict XVI also sent his condolences and in a message read out in the church said he was “deeply saddened” by Dr Tabone’s death. “I pray his example will serve as an inspiration to others,” the Pontiff said.

In a gesture of encouragement after the Mass was over and while walking down the aisle, Mgr Cremona turned to Dr Tabone’s wife and with a clenched fist beat three times on his chest, telling her that he will always live on in her heart.

Mgr Cremona turned to Dr Tabone’s wife and with a clenched fist beat three times on his chest, telling her that he will always live on in her heart

Dr Tabone’s family was joined in bereavement by President George Abela, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, opposition leader Joseph Muscat, Emeritus President Eddie Fenech Adami, the judiciary, ministers and MPs, representatives of the political parties, and other dignitaries.

After leaving Valletta the cortege made courtesy stops in front of the Sacro Coure band club in Sliema, the St Julian’s and Spinola band clubs in St Julian’s and the Nationalist Party club in Mellieha before proceeding to Gozo. Dr Tabone was buried in a private ceremony in Xewkija.

Dr Tabone’s wife and her children thanked all those involved in the organisation of this “magnificient” state funeral. The family “is most grateful to the people of Malta and Gozo for their outpouring of support during this difficult time”.

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