Fr Geoffrey Attard writes:

It was with sadness that I heard the news of Ġorġ Calleja’s passing away.

Ġorġ (1956-2015) was a familiar face as he had many friends.

He taught me Maltese history in my second year at secondary school at Ninu Cremona Lyceum in 1990 and instilled in me the passion for the subject within a wider European comtext.

He was definitely avid reader and his main hobby must have been going abroad. In fact, it was while he was on holiday in Slovenia that he passed away.

Ġorġ was also passionate about waterpolo and for many years was a member of the Otter ASC of Gozo, the club of his native island.

He worked for the Department of Education as an education officer for History, the subject which also came up in his conversations. In fact, I will cherish the beautiful conversations we had on various aspects of Maltese history.

He was great company if one could tolerate the cigars he constantly smoked and which might well have contibruted to his demise.

Ġorġ happened to be a second cousin of mine as his late mother Roza was my father’s first cousin, their respective mothers being sisters.

Ġorġ will be sorely missed by many people, his two surviving brothers Mario and Joe, and other relatives and friends.

Lord grant him eternal rest.