John Mizzi, who passed away early yesterday, aged 87, was as much a journalist as he was a keen scout and a Royal Navy enthusiast.
Before we knew it, we were in a private audience with the Pope! The word ‘impossible’ did not exist in his vocabulary
Born on June 23, 1925, in Birkirkara, Mr Mizzi spent nearly 30 years as news editor of The Times and The Sunday Times as well as a stringer for The Daily Telegraph.
He made a name for himself with Malta At War, a definitive, illustrated six-volume record of the island’s struggle during World War II.
Former editor of The Times Victor Aquilina said: “I have very fond memories of John as my news editor in the early years I joined the newspaper in 1964.
“He was a good newsman and picture editor but I think he excelled most in sub-editing. At the time, the dockyard was managed by Swan Hunter and we competed for stories about the ’yard, but he was usually ahead of me because he knew Sir John Hunter.”
As a stringer for The Daily Telegraph, Mr Mizzi filed an endless number of stories, not all to the liking of the Mintoff administration.
“At the time, when I was secretary to the Malta Branch of the Institute of Journalists, Toni Pellegrini, the Director of Information, rang me up, fuming: ‘When are you going to stop John Mizzi writing to the Telegraph?’” said Mr Aquilina.
Former reporter Charles Meilaq was struck by the way Mr Mizzi relentlessly pursued the truth when writing stories for the newspaper.
“This value was something that deeply affected me during my years in journalism,” he said.
“At the time, there were no journalism studies. John taught me all the basics. Prior to technology, he taught us how to build a story and how to care for sources.
“He was very strict and disciplined but he had a heart of gold and always found the time to teach us.”
A former photographer of The Times, Frank Attard, 85, had always been impressed by Mr Mizzi’s excellent memory.
“When compiling an article, he never used any notebooks. He used to jot down points on the back of a bus ticket. His memory was that impressive.
“He was also very fond of the Royal Navy. In fact, his best friend was Admiral Sir Nigel Cecil.”
But perhaps Mr Mizzi is most fondly remembered as a group scout leader of the St Aloysius College Group.
Chief Scout Kenneth De Martino described “Cubbie”, as Mr Mizzi was better known in scouting circles, as “a great person who dedicated his life to youths in Malta”.
“He was instrumental in encouraging youngsters to develop their capabilities. Many people passed under his leadership, including (former President) Guido de Marco, and (former President) Ċensu Tabone was a close friend.”
In 1987, Mr De Martino joined Mr Mizzi on a trip to Australia for the World Scout Jamboree. On the way, Mr Mizzi decided to stop at the Vatican and meet the Pope.
“We all laughed at him; it’s not as if the Pope was waiting for us. The official people also refused. Yet before we knew it, there we were in a private audience with the Pope! The word ‘impossible’ did not exist in his vocabulary.
“His demise is a sad loss to his family, the scout movement and to Malta.”