Joseph Magro writes:

Fr Eric cherished many good qualities and values. To all those who knew him, his name was synonymous with a heart full of God’s love, unity in Christ, loving interest in one’s neighbour based on Our Lady’s example, love for the Church, respect and obedience to those in authority, expression of one’s faith in all one’s deeds and particular respect to God’s creation.

Fr Eric’s sudden departure left us all breathless and speechless. On April 26, just four hours after the demise of his mother, he mentioned to me how hard it was for him to accept that she had departed.

This, while at the same time stressing that he felt serene, knowing that she had achieved all her objectives in life and was well prepared to meet the Lord. And he promply added that he was ever so grateful to her, as till the end, she kept teaching all around her by saying thank you to all.

In other words, he attributed to her all his good manners and all his thank yous, which he addressed to all those he met daily. This was typical of Fr Eric – recognising and praising the good in others all the time.

I met Fr Eric 15 years ago and our friendship and collaboration gathered momentum as years swept by, particularly these past 10 years as archpriest of Żejtun. The main driving force that kept him going through was seeing Christ in each and every one he met.

He made it a point to do his best to be present at all meetings with the different groups, commmittees, councils in the parish. What was important was that he continuously transmitted Christ’s presence everywhere as much as he could.

He worked hard on various pastoral initiatives in Żejtun parish, giving priority to the spiritual and personal formation of members of different groups.

These last three years, he started reaping fruit of all this hard work when more new leaders started emerging from these different groups.

He had to heart the well being of all the community, not just members of the parish. These last few years, through his fruitful thinking, the parish embarked on a tourism-oriented project, The Żejtun Parish Religious Heritage Route, which gained approval and funds through the Grant Scheme for Sustainable Tourism Projects by Enterprises – EU Structural Funds Programme 2007-2013.

He worked hard as well to see collaboration and unity in-crease between social clubs and associations in Żejtun, and never lost faith that this work would in time bear more fruit. He extended his collaboration to all those who were disposed to work towards the common goal of unity in God’s love.

We will definately miss you Fr Eric, but your hard work will bear abundant fruit for years to come. We just have to stay focused on the same goals you had and never look back.

We have lost a friend on this earth, but we have gained a great friend in heaven.

Fr Eric, you have achieved your utmost goal in life, to be united with all your family in God’s presence. Fr Eric pray for us and bless us all.