Peter Calamatta writes:

With the passing away of George Fenech, of the Tumas Group, Malta has lost one of its greatest entrepreneurs.

I, and all my family, have lost a dear friend and a mentor. When I embarked on a landscaping career, in the 1980s, it was thanks to him that our venture took off and flourished. We had a lot of things in common, among which our vision to make Malta more beautiful.

When the Portomaso project was launched the path towards approval was not an easy one. During the last and most crucial meeting at Mepa, George asked me to make the keynote speech about the landscaping part of the project.

After approval we had to prove that what was promised could actually be achieved. Together with the Tumas Group, our company won the prestigious award from BALI (the British Association of Landscape Industry) for best landscaped garden outside the UK. During the award presentation, which his late brother, Angelo, attended with us in London, Malta as given a standing ovation for the project.

George was the kind of person who stood by his word and delivered. He was also very humble, helped lots of persons in need and supported those, like myself and my son, Carlos, who wanted to accompany him on his journey of achievement.

Carlos and I will miss working closely with this great man.

I cannot begin to imagine the grief that his loving wife, Pat, his sons, Franco and Jurgen, and all his brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces and, most especially, his dear mother are going through at this very moment. To them we offer our prayers and support and ask them to cherish the memories of a man who revolutionised the way business is conducted in Malta, changed the face of the island and put our country clearly and proudly on the international sphere.

Good bye George. We are certain that the good work you have done in this material world will serve you well in the spiritual one where you have now gone to rest.