Manni Spiteri in his 40s.

The man decorated for his service to national broadcasting, Manni Spiteri, died suddenly aged 79 in a small studio where he was still recording programmes for radio.

Mr Spiteri was associated with the broadcasting media for over 50 years and according to close friend Fr Joe Borg, he “was a giant of the broadcasting field in Malta.”

“Manni was a hard-nosed professional but he had a softer side which he hardly showed anyone. I remember his dedication to Mary, his first wife. He was close to her particularly throughout her illness which led to her death.

“Years later I remember him telling me that he had started to date Anna, his second wife. He was so full of enthusiasm describing her. I had the honour to officiate during their wedding,” he told the newspaper.

For his wife, their marriage was “20 of the most beautiful years”.

“He was a special man, always ready with a smile. He was very optimistic and always positive. He never dwelt on the fact that his health was not good. I will now try to remind myself of his determination and like him, move on,” she told Times of Malta.

He went out of his way for everybody and was always smiling

For his grandson Niki Travers Tauss, Mr Spiteri was a reference to all things done right and he referred to him and consulted with him frequently.

“In his later years he learnt all things aboutcomputers and became an authority on the subject. When things went wrong we shared the same frustration of dysfunctional technology.

Nannu loved his food and appreciated dining together as a family. Sunday lunch and his fried rabbit are fond childhood memories.

“It was humbling growing up being known as ‘in-neputi ta’ Manni’ – this automatically brought a smile and respect from whomever I met who knew him or dealt with him.” This was reiterated by former colleague Maurice Tanti Burlo: “A very nice chap, he went out of his way for everybody and was always smiling. He tried to make things less difficult than they were.”

Mr Tanti Burlo will remember the veteran broadcaster for his precision and love for detail, where his work on radio and television was top-notch.

Mr Spiteri held the position of executive head of the National Radio and Television and was later appointed the first chairman and director of Public Broadcasting Services Limited. Throughout his career he directed various film and television productions. On TV he was instrumental in creating greater awareness of national heritage and support for literary and dramatic works in Maltese.

Mr Spiteri, who among others was chairman of the board of directors of Radio RTK, was in 1999 made a Member of the National Order of Merit for his services to broadcasting in Malta. The funeral Mass will take place at Stella Maris Church in Sliema tomorrow at 9.30am.