Narcy Calamatta writes...
Our friend, Roger Delicata, will be smiling at us from heaven from now on.
We remember him dearly as a generous, caring and humorous gentleman.
He himself was the son of a gentleman, Giuseppe, who brought up his three boys in the most scrupulous manner.
Roger loved all his family blindly. He was their dear Roy, as they called him.
Roger and I were commissioned on the same day in December 1959 with the 1st Battalion, King’s Own Malta Regiment. I had not known him at all before. His school friends from St Aloysius College remained friends with him to the end.
From the first day he met me he became my champion and protector all along. He was best man at my wedding and I was best man at his.
We travelled together and went to the theatre and socialised. We even worked together for a time. Never did I hear him say one derogatory word about his family and friends, business competitors or anyone who did not harbour his same affiliations. I come from opposite poles but he loved me dearly, nonetheless.
I saw one of his workers at the funeral and when I expressed my appreciation for his presence he told me that for Roger he would have made the journey on his knees.
Roger did a lot of good beyond the normal call of duty. He respected and cared for his dependents and for anyone who sought his help. The beautiful thing about him is that he did it all with a smile and a lot of humour. I do not mean he was a comedian or a funny storyteller, no. He was a joyous character, kind beyond belief.
He set a good example to all, even in those bad times that all of us have to go through; at times he tried not to importune anyone with his woes. This splendid character was obvious to many throughout his life and friends loved him and were loyal to him all his life.
To show his sensitivity I would like to recount an incident that had happened during a major infantry exercise in Gozo. The training officer sent a dummy radio message that the colonel (the chief commanding officer of the whole regiment) was killed in action. Roger turned to me and with a heart-broken voice said: “What a shame. I can’t believe it. I just spoke to him barely an hour ago.”
Thank you, dear Roger. Rest as you have lived all your life, in peace with God.