A lot has been said and written in the past week about Ċensu Tabone – the politician, opthalmologist, the husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
The love Dr Tabone had for his wife and his family are surely the greatestinheritance this magnificent gentleman has left to all those who knew him- Fr Claude Portelli, Parish priest, St Julians
I consider it to have been a priviledge to have known Dr Tabone, I could say all throughout my life, even though in different facets. He was my parents’ witness on their wedding day but Dr Tabone’s friendship with the family goes back to the 1960s when my grandfather, Spiridione Portelli, was a very close collaborator of Dr Tabone and they worked very hard together at the time to impliment many of their dreams and ideals for Malta.
However, I must say that my relationship with Dr and Mrs Tabone intensified in the past nine years through my priestly ministry within the St Julians parish, more so in the last two years as their parish priest. My visit to Carmel Street had now become a weekly routine and the conversations with both Dr and Mrs Tabone were always very interesting. Hearing first hand experiences of his political life and the many different encounters he had with international personalities were always enriching. Mrs Tabone would be always ready to butt in and explain at times even the behind the scenes of events and some of these were hilarious too. My only regret is that I didn’t have enough time to get to know much more about his contribution to the life of this nation. I guess his children will have to be the ones to fill in the gaps for me.
Sitting down for lunch in the past few months with this lovely couple and some other family members, who were constantly present throughout the day, had become a regular. I will never forget the intimate family moments I lived especially in the past three months. I will surely miss Mrs Tabone tapping her husband’s hand saying: “Ċens ara ġie Fr Claude.” He was always elated, curtious and joyous with that splendid smile on his face. A smile which will remain impressed in my living memory. By now I was somehow considered the “adopted grandson”. This was surely an honour.
More than anything else one of the memories I will cherish for a lifetime is the insurmountable love Dr Tabone had for his loving Maria. Daily he never missed any opportunity to show his affection and love by kissing his dear Maria on the hand or cheeck as they sat next to each other on their armchair. The celebrations of their 70th wedding anniversay last November are surely a witness to this. Walking into the living room on Wednesday a few minutes after his death was certainly heartbreaking, seeing a wife for 70 years looking lovingly on her lifeless husband who had now moved on to receive his eternal reward.
The love Dr Tabone had for his wife and his family are surely the greatest inheritance this magnificent gentleman has left to all those who knew him. I have seen it and experienced it first hand and will never forget what this man stood for. The love he emanated for those around him especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren is something I have yet to experience. There is so much that the younger generation of these islands can learn from the values and principles that Dr and Mrs Tabone lived in their lifetime. They were the icon of the typical Maltese couple and it is so hard to think of Ċensu without Maria and vice versa.
Unfortunately, many today argue that the family principles this couple represented are something of the past and today’s society has surpassed such values. I believe we still have a lot to learn and reflect upon when talking about the Tabone couple. It would be a great mistake if one were to ignore the fact that these values were attained without much sacrifice. There is a lot that one ought to ponder upon and imitate. The value of respect and reciprocal love was the order of the day in Carmel Street – values which unfortunately are not as evident in our society as they used to be.
In the last few days since Dr Tabone’s demise the family house was a hub of activity, affection, care and solidarity. The experience I lived prior to the state funeral and on the day of the funeral itself will surely form part of my most treasured memories. I don’t think I have experienced anything so intense but yet so full of love at such a difficult moment in one’s family. I am indebted to “nanna Maria” and all the family for having given me the opportunity to live this passage with them.
Malta has really lost a gentleman, great politician and opthalmologist but the values Dr Tabone stood for will surely be the greatest gift he has left to all who knew him well.
I thank the good Lord for having given me the opportunity to have experienced so much in the past years within the Tabone household. I have learnt a lot and the gift of this experience will accompany me throughout the rest of my life and ministry. The constant presence of the Tabone tribe will give nanna Maria the courage and consolation to live through this difficult time without her beloved Ċens!