Both George Abela, the late father of the President of Malta, and Ġiġi Gonzi, the late father of the Prime Minister, were yesterday described as two men who had kept their feet steadfast on the ground despite the fact that they were proud that their sons had reached the highest offices of the State.
Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the House Tonio Borg made the remark when Parliament commemorated the two men and expressed condolences to the family of President George Abela and the family of Dr Lawrence Gonzi and Nationalist MP Michael Gonzi.
Dr Borg described Mr Gonzi as a helpful and sociable character, well known in Valletta. Mr Gonzi was well loved by people and was particularly liked by young lawyers whom he helped in his job as deputy registrar at the Magistrates’ Court. The death of Mr Gonzi was a moment of sorrow for his family but, Dr Borg said, its members would find solace in their friends and their faith.
Leader of the Opposition Joseph Muscat said the loss of a parent was indeed a sorrowful moment. The parents of politicians were very sensitive to what others said about their children and in this respect might at times suffer.
The Prime Minister, on his own behalf and on behalf of his brother Michael, thanked the House for their words of appreciation of his father’s life and the sentiments of solidarity that members from both sides of the House had shown them in the loss of their parents over such a short time.
Dr Gonzi said that the expression of positive words on the character of the deceased assisted the bereaved in coping with their sorrow. His father was proud of his sons’ political achievements, but this did not change his lifestyle or character and he had continuously seen the positive side of life. He also agreed with the Leader of the Opposition on the experience parents of politicians passed through.
Mr Speaker Michael Frendo described Mr Gonzi as sociable and always ready to encourage young lawyers. He commented that members of the Gonzi family certainly cherished their father’s qualities.
Turning to the commemoration of the President’s father, Dr Borg noted that this was the first time the House was commemorating the death of a President’s parent, and described the late George Abela as a calm, humble and altruistic person. He commended George Abela for providing stability for his family through hard work as a stevedore.
Dr Muscat described George Abela senior as a true Qormi man and a hard worker. He was also a humble person who had taken within his family another child, at a time when fostering was not heard of, and had seen to his family’s needs.
The Speaker said that although he did not personally know George Abela, he was known to have brought up his family responsibly and with integrity and deserved the honour and respect of the House.