Luigi Gonzi, the Prime Minister’s father, died early yesterday morning aged 89, less than two years after his wife, Ines, passed away in her sleep.

Mr Gonzi, known affectionately as Ġiġi, died at Mater Dei Hospital surrounded by his children, who include Margaret, a nun at the Convent of the Good Shepherd, and twins Paulanne and Nationalist MP Michael.

He had been in hospital for a few days and passed away at 5 a.m.

His funeral will be held today at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Sanctuary in Valletta.

Condolences to the Gonzi family poured in, with the Nationalist Party paying tribute to both Luigi and Ines for their exemplary life and for the way they had, quietly and with dedication, raised a family with two of their sons serving their country as Prime Minister and MP.

The Labour Party also expressed its condolences and said party leader Joseph Muscat had been in contact with the Prime Minister to express his sorrow.

Alternattiva Demokratika, Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin, the General Workers’ Union and the Local Councils Association also expressed their sympathy to the Gonzi family.