An analyst in his own right is how two of my closest friends, Fr Philip DeMarco and Fr Peter Camilleri referred to Joe Cassar.

Fr DeMarco always noted that although Cassar was 10 years younger, his mature outlook on life, in general, was impressive. Fr Camilleri always insisted that Cassar’s analysis of the local scene and of the world was simply extraordinary.

Soon after becoming Nationalist Party leader, Eddie Fenech Adami had included Cassar as one of his advisers and later appointed him ambassador, apart from other responsibilities he was given.

Cassar had fully absorbed the learning he acquired at the Lá Cattólica in Milan and made good use of it.

Once, I was elected president of the Christus Rex Society but when I was re-elected, I hesitated feeling that the end result did not reflect the good job we did. When I sought Cassar’s advice he told me: “You are not interpreting the result well. The first vote was to test your ability and this second vote was to confirm the work done.”

Tanya, his wife, was witness to all this. As the brave woman she is, I am sure she, together with her family, will find the required courage and Joe, from heaven, will be so happy.