Matthew Bonello writes...

When someone departs this life, praise is lavishly showered on the deceased person’s qualities. This is very true of my friend Carol Calleja , a former player, committee member and treasurer for almost 20 years of Neptunes WPSC. He was called unto eternal life on September 17.

Questions are often asked why the Almighty calls a true gentleman to join his heavenly fold, at times prematurely. This is an imponderable into which we cannot delve since only the Lord knows His ways.

I was fortunate enough to come across Carol’s path as a friend and also through my connections with Neptunes over the years and later as a committee member and president.

He was the epitome of all that is upright in a person. A family man, a genial person and an outstanding standard-bearer of the club.

He joined Neptunes as a teenager and was soon in the forefront in reviving our team’s fortunes when, in 1964, he helped the club win the ‘double’ when forming part of the team alongside such stalwarts as Wilfred Mamo, Jimmy Micallef Eynaud, Bertie Portelli, Tony Albanese, Joseph Wismayer and others too many to mention.

His playing career was curtailed because of injury but his administative qualities soon emerged as a committee member and later as the person who administered the club’s finances.

A high point in his long connection with Neptunes was the fresh water pool project at the club, something which he masterminded together with former Neptunes president, the unforgettable, Wilfred Mamo, and Joe ‘Lolly’ Psaila, also president of the club for many years.

Their dream was fulfilled and became a monumental chapter in the life of the Balluta Bay club. All of us at Neptunes today, share the fruit of their vision, courage and hard work, years ago. Carol was rightly proud of being one of the protagonists of thepool project.

He was dedicated to improving the club’s facilities and his altruism earned him the distinction of being one of Neptunes’ great clubmen and benefactors.

His name and the legacy he left at the club will be etched in the history of Neptunes. His affection for all that represented the club was only surpassed by his deep love for his family.

To his wife, Patricia, daugher Debbie and her husband Damian Mallia, and his grandchildren, Matthew, Rachel and Alexandra, go our most sincere condolences.

We will all miss him dearly.