Dr Joe Pullicino’s passing away 16 years ago should be remembered with love not only by his family and friends but also by the innumerable former psychiatric patients he cared for. He was a truly efficient consultant and an equally efficient superintendent responsible over many years for Mt Carmel Hospital, Attard.

It was thanks to his unstinted cooperation and dedication that I, as hospital engineer, was able to initiate and complete the modernisation and upgrading of the hospital building as well as the design and building of the highly useful and popular patient recreation centre.

The latter project was partly funded by the Friends of Attard Hospital Society, of which I was a committee member.

Among the numerous friendships I built and cultivated at the Medical and Health Department and the hospitals, from the CGMO down, Dr Pullicino to me was quite unique. He was the most helpful, reliable and trustworthy of friends.

During the execution of the works programme at Mount Carmel, I suggested and he gave his immediate assent to engage on some works for patients wishing to learn a trade and were remunerated with a reasonable wage from the Public Works Department funds. This arrangement proved very effective and the patients all learned at least the basics of a trade which must have stood them in good stead when discharged.