Justin Pace, 21, died when his friend pushed him to the ground during a session of horseplay that went horribly wrong, according to his heartbroken family, who remember him as compassionate and generous.

The young man was hanging out with his girlfriend and two other friends in the area known as Fuq il-Ġibjun (Nigret) in Żurrieq on Sunday when the incident happened at around 4pm.

He hit his head on the concrete, falling unconscious and losing his life some time later in hospital.

One of the fondest memories treasured by his parents, Raymond and Monica, is that of their son – the third of four siblings – bringing home a catch of fish.

“He just loved going fishing,” Ms Pace told Times of Malta, stopping to breathe in between sobs, as she compared her agony to that of Our Lady of Sorrows. “He used to love bringing home a barracuda or an octopus. He would be thrilled with his catch and I would be so happy.

“He used to get me sea urchins because he knew how much I loved them. He recently bought a fishing rod – he spent some €200 on it. I told him: ‘Don’t you think it’s a bit expensive?’ But he told me that, with the new rod, the fish would find it hard to escape. I have such beautiful memories of him.”

Ms Pace was at home on Sunday when her daughter – the youngest child – phoned her, crying. She originally thought she had broken up with her boyfriend but she received the shocking news that her son was in hospital.

“I don’t know how we got to hospital. My son was surrounded by doctors. I walked into the room and I saw his chest rising and falling. I asked what was going on and they told me they were giving him electric shocks because his heart had stopped. And at that moment, I knew my son was dead.”

My son will no longer jump and celebrate at the feast he loved so much. I can’t bear to see the statue and live here any longer

Looking shell-shocked, Justin’s girlfriend, Kimberly Borg, could not believe that her boyfriend of two years was gone.

“Just yesterday, we were together. He ate at my place. We loved spending time at Il-Ġibjun.

“I was sitting down when it happened, playing on my mobile phone. The boys were fooling around. Then I heard a thud and I sprang up. We tried to place him in the recovery position but he was completely unresponsive.”

Police are investigating and will be looking into the CCTV footage which captured the incident to determine how to proceed.

Justin Pace with his girlfriend, Kimberly Borg.Justin Pace with his girlfriend, Kimberly Borg.

Huddled around the kitchen table with her husband, her children and relatives, Ms Pace recounted precious memories of her son’s short life.

Justin was a kind and generous soul, she said, who would go out of his way to ensure the people around him were happy. He was also a huge enthusiast of St Catherine of Alexandria, the patron saint of Żurrieq, the family recalled fondly.

Justin’s grandmother was also a devotee of the saint and her devotion rubbed off on him and he became more fervent as he grew up.

In the week leading up to the feast in September, Justin would be in his element. He would open the windows to let the feast anthems blare out from his room.

“One fine day, some two years ago, he got a long water pipe, tied a red flag to it and installed it on the roof. ‘Mum, don’t touch it’, he instructed. The pipe is still there. The flag was blown away by the wind.

“My son will no longer jump and celebrate at the feast he loved so much. I can’t bear to see the statue and live here any longer.”

Ms Pace’s favourite picture is that of Justin with his little nephew Alexander, now three, which was taken during the wedding of her eldest son.

“Justin adored my grandson and he loved him back. He always used to buy him something small.

“He saw him on TV in the news. When we told him he hurt his head, he replied that Uncle Justin had been ‘naughty’. He hasn’t realised what happened.

“My son left the house and will never return...”

Justin’s funeral will be held today at 3.30pm at the Żurrieq parish church.

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