Paul George Pisani writes:

I was abroad when I received a call to inform me that Marcel had just died. This news made me very sad.

I had lost an important point of reference in my life. Marcel Mizzi was a retired legal procurator, a versatile poet and a former MP. He always shunned the limelight and kept a low profile.

I have always known Marcel, as far as I can remember. He was a constant visitor to our home. Love for the Maltese language and for Gozo united Marcel with my late father, the poet Ġorġ Pisani.

I can still hear their discussions on the intricacies of the Maltese language, their respective works and publications and current events. When I began practising as a notary public in 1986, I got to know a very different Marcel.

Marcel had an established clientele, practising in an unassuming office near San Ġorġ tal-Ħagar in Victoria. His office contained some old-fashioned glass-fronted bookcases decorated with what he called his ‘treasures’, the latter being the childhood crayon sribbles and drawings of his seven children.

He was very much sought by the Gozitans for his precious advice. Marcel had an immense knowledge of civil and criminal law, and I can witness to his constant plea to avoid useless petty litigation and encouragement of out of court settlement.

When he was called to assist clients on wills or deeds in my office, his advice was concise and to the point, making working with him pleasant and enriching.

Marcel died on February 4, aged 90. We, Gozitans have lost a patriot, a poet, an efficient legal professional and an exemplary father of a large family.

To his wife Maryanne and to his family, my deepest condolences. May he rest in peace.