Peter and Carlos Calamatta write:

With the passing away of George Fenech of Tumas Group, Malta has lost one of its greatest entrepreneurs. I, and all my family, have lost a dear friend and mentor. When I embarked on a landscaping career in the 1980s, it was thanks to George Fenech 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 deliver 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 Tumas Group, our company won the prestigious award by the British Association of Landscape Industry for Best Landscaped Garden outside the UK. During the presentation, which his late brother Angelo attended with us in London, Malta received a standing ovation for this project.

George was the kind of person who stood by his word and delivered. He was also very humble, helped a lot of people 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 his loving wife Pat, his sons Franco and Jurgen, and all his brothers, sister, nephews, neces and, most especially, his dear mother, are going through at this 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 this country, putting it clearly and proudly on the international map.

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