The passing away of my cousin, Godfrey Wettinger, has left a void which will be very difficult to fill. Though we did not meet very often, he was always there on family occasions: weddings, parties, lunches, reunions and, unfortunately, funerals.

In fact, the last time we met him was at the funeral of my brother, Francis Bezzina Wettinger, last July.

Whenever we met, he would inform us, always with a twinkle in his eye, about the latest historic research he was doing and then it was up to us to ask him questions, which he would answer as if he were tutoring us.

He was especially up-to-date recounting our family tree and he would supply us with photocopies showing how and why our ancestors came to Malta and how our surname came about.

Godfrey never married and we cousins would tease him that he was married to his books, which filled shelves and shelves in his flat at St Julian’s.

My thanks and those of my family go to the rector of the university, who, with the help of other professors as well as other members of the staff, organised a very meaningful and unique public farewell service praesente cadavere on the campus.

Rest in peace Godfrey.