Joseph Spiteri, the last surviving member of the first two post-Independence Cabinets led by Prime Minister George Borg Olivier, died yesterday at the age of 95.

Dr Spiteri, a notary, from Naxxar, was elected to the Legislative Assembly for the first time in 1955 and in all subsequent elections until 1971. At the peak of his political career, he served as Public Works Minister from 1962-1966 and as Minister for Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries in the following legislature until 1971 when the PN was voted out of office.

President Emeritus Eddie Fenech Adami was well acquainted with Dr Spiteri, having contested his first three general elections on the same district – the sixth – which comprised Naxxar and Birkirkara.

“As a man of a few words but deep thoughts he used to follow parliamentary proceedings very quietly from his chair, but would immediately intervene as soon as he would be mentioned or whenever he felt the need,” Dr Fenech Adami said.

“Though he was not the pretentious type who would seize every opportunity to steal the limelight, he was a very important figure in those days and gave his utmost for the country,” he added.

Apart from his involvement in politics where Dr Spiteri was also president of the PN club in St Paul’s Bay, he also served for many years as president of the Peace Band Club in Naxxar.

In 1996 he was made a companion of the National Order of Merit. Dr Spiteri was married to Giovanna née Debono and had four children. By the time of writing details of his funeral had not yet been announced.