Valerie Borg writes:

Leli was a quiet, unassuming man and a hawker in Ordnance Street, Valletta. He was so happy the market was moved there from Merchants Street. It is so sad his happiness did not last long.

I had known Leli for years as we were both members of the Labour Party committee in Valletta. He preferred to listen rather than speak and whenever he came up with some idea, rest assured it would make a lot of sense.

Last Saturday, I was having coffee with a friend when someone said that Leli had died the day before. I rushed to the market to find out. It could not be true, I thought, because I had seen him the day before. I know people die suddenly but Leli looked quite healthy. Unfortunately, it was true. He had passed away. Leli had died after attending a party organised for his grandchild.

The solemn look on the other hawkers’ faces spoke volumes. I had to accept the sad truth that I would see and joke with Leli no more.

I always had an obligation towards his family. It was his elder son, Andrew, who had informed me about applications to fill vacancies at St Luke’s Hospital and then Mater Dei Hospital 20 years ago. Indeed, it was thanks to him that I started working in a hospital.

Oh, what a likeable person he was. He would speak to just about anyone.

I shall sorely miss him and his wife and children will definitely feel his absence even more.

Goodbye my friend, may the good Lord see the sweetness in you just as I did and take you to heaven with Him post-haste. Safe journey.