Michael Bonnici writes:
Unexpectedly, my friend Salvu passed away leaving a void not only in my heart but to the numerous friends and colleagues in his home town Żebbuġ and surprising not least all the band clubs around Malta and Gozo.
Salvu was a keen enthusiastic of the St Philip Band Club and served as the honorary treasurer for almost 60 years. He spent his entire life much more at the club than at his own home next door.
His voluntary work at the heart of the town, together with a dedicated team and under various renowned presidents of the St Philip Band Club (namely Professor Philip Farrugia, Judge Emeritus Oliver Gulia, Fr Loreto Callus, David Farrugia, Godfrey Farrugia and the incumbent Dr Philip Sciortino) realised the total renovation of the premises starting from an additional façade in 1955 designed by the late architect and prime minister Dom Mintoff along Sciortino Street, which was newly developed and inaugurated by Prime Minister Gorg Borg Olivier a few years before.
As treasurer he not only voiced his appeals and expected donations but on a weekly basis he used to knock door to door in every street and alley collecting money for the realisation of one of the most spacious and grand palaces in Malta housing the principal local band club under his watch and having wisely spent his hard-earned collection of funds.
During our long conversations I admired his satisfaction that so many young people were joining St Philip Band Club not only promoting the feast of our patron saint but actively participating with dedication at social and cultural activities of interest to locals and adopted residents.
Salvu used to work as a charge man at the main supplies of the aviation fuel depot at Luqa Airport within the companies Shell and BP and later when the contracts were terminated he kept his job together with his colleague and local fellow Michael Delia with Enemalta Corporation.
Despite his dedication to his favourite club and other activities he never missed giving his love and support to his sisters who lost their parents at a relative young age.
In his exemplary Christian life he never failed his daily Mass and prayers. May God grant him eternal rest next to his favourite saint St Philip of Agira, patron of Żebbuġ.