“The evil that men do lives after them, the good is oft interred with their bones”. This was part of Mark Anthony’s famous speech. I shall not hesitate, however, to declare that this does not apply to the memory of Guido de Marco. People from all walks of life, with different political views, have, in the last days, remembered Prof. de Marco and showed that the good he did for the Maltese nation and internationally shall not be interred with his bones. In my opinion, they could not do otherwise. Guido, as he was affectionately known, knew no evil. He had no enemies; he only had political adversaries. He was loved and not without cause.

I have known Prof. de Marco for decades – since the late 1970s and early 1980s – when the Nationalist Party entrusted me with the responsibility of the seventh electoral district where Prof. de Marco also happened to be a candidate. I can say I had no problems between Prof. de Marco and the other Nationalist candidates (as sometimes happens between candidates of the same political views). Prof. de Marco used to stress that they (the candidates) and we were bonded for a common cause, one mission: Malta’s interest. Those were turbulent days. On a humorous note, the only problem I used to encounter with Prof. de Marco was his time-keeping, or lack of it. Decades have passed and a bond of friendship was created between him and me. On the occasions that I met him – the latest being a few weeks back – he made it a point to enquire “What’s new?”. He always asked about my family’s and my well-being. He was particularly fond and always enquired about my elder daughter whom he used to lecture during her law course at the University. His humanity knew no bounds.

Malta has lost one of its greatest sons. Malta has lost a patriot, a great politician, a statesman. This has been expressed by everybody: be they those who shared his political views and even those who did not. These were not messages which are just said for the occasion. The feelings expressed in them were all genuine ones. I dare say that these are also witnessed and confirmed by the messages pouring in from international quarters. Prof. de Marco was also an international political giant.

He is no more but his memory shall live with us forever. As I commented on the electronic media “let us not mourn Prof. de Marco but let us celebrate his life”.

In this very sad time for his family, we should express our thanks and gratitude to his wife Violet, whom he adored, and to his children Mario, Gianella and Fiorella, whom he loved so much. They were instrumental in making him confirm publicly that life is beautiful.

Thank you Guido! This is not a goodbye but an au revoir, till we meet again.