CARBONARO. On January 10, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Lucia and Andrè, God's precious gift of a daughter - FEDERICA-PIA, a welcome sister to Martina-Paola.
CASSAR. On December 30, at Gozo General Hospital Maternity Wing, to Marion Farrugia Cassar and Christopher, God's precious gift of a son - JULIAN, a most welcome brother to David. Thanks be to God and Our Lady of Ta' Pinu.
CHETCUTI. On January 12, at Kantonsspital, Aarau, Switzerland, to Desirée née Rothenbühler and Stephen (Steve), God's precious gift of a first-born daughter - KIM.
JACOBSEN. On January 11, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Sarah née Miller and Thomas, God's precious gift of a daughter - ANNA, a most welcome sister to Alexander. Thanks be to God and Our Lady Tal-Hlas.
MIZZI. On December 31, at Queen Mother's Hospital, Glasgow, to Mariella née Caruana and Adrian, God's precious gift of a first-born daughter - DANIELA.
STAFRACE. On December 22, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Claire née Zammit and Ian, God's precious gift of a first-born daughter - CRISTINA. Thanks be to God and Our Lady. Special thanks to the gynaecologist, midwives, nurses and all the staff for their excellent care and dedication.
VELLA. On January 11, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Analiza née Caruana and Jesmond, God's precious gift of a first-born daughter - MARTHA KATE. Thanks to Our Lady of Mellieha. Special thanks to midwife Josephine Muscat and all the staff of the ward.
Engagements
Dr BERNARD BEZZINA, B.Ch.D., ALCM, AMus.LCM and Ms KATYA MIFSUD, BA, Dip. Not. Pub. The engagement is announced between BERNARD, son of Michael and Antoinette Bezzina of Mosta, and KATYA, daughter of Joseph J. Mifsud and the late Agnes Mifsud of Paola. Fr Michael Bellizzi, S.Th.L., blessed the rings.
Marriages
Mr JULIAN FENECH and Ms IOLANDA PAESANO JULIAN and IOLANDA were married on Saturday, January 17, at the Mdina Cathedral. The groom is the son of Raymond and Connie Fenech. The bride is the daughter of Ciro and Corinne Paesano. Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Mgr Philip Calleja. The bride was given away by her brother, Mr Carlo Paesano. The ceremony was witnessed by Dr Paul Cassar and Mr Henry Scicluna. The bride was attended by Karen De Ruygt, Louisa Mallia, Krista Sammut, Hannah Scicluna, Olivia Cassar, Bettina Galea and Gail Bonnici. Mr Lee Connol and Mr Gordon Sammut carried out the duties of best men. Mr David Bonnici and Mr Robert Fenech acted as ushers. A reception was held afterwards at Villa Arrigo, Naxxar. The couple will honeymoon in Australia.
Obituary
MERCIECA. On January 16, at St Luke's Hospital, JOSEPH, A&CE, of Sliema, aged 79, passed peacefully away, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his loss his wife Lucy, his children Catherine, wife of Raphael Bonello, of Australia, Tonio and his wife Adrianne, Marita, wife of Sergio Rubei, his beloved grandchildren Ralph, Joe, Kathy, Matteo, Christopher, Katya, Jonathan and Andrew, his step-children, cousins, nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends. - R.I.P. The funeral leaves St Luke's Hospital tomorrow at 9 a.m. for Sacro Cuor parish church, Sliema, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 9.30 a.m., followed by interment in the family chapel at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to Villa Mgr Gonzi, Siggiewi, will be appreciated. Lord, grant him eternal rest.
ZAMMIT. On January 16, at Zammit Clapp Hospital, Fr CARMELO, SDB, National Delegate of the Federation of Salesian Past Pupils, aged 72, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his loss the Salesian Communities in Malta and Ireland, especially that of St Patrick's School in Sliema, his brother Joe, widower of Rose, his niece Mary Rose and her husband Joseph Dimech and their children Kurt and Luke, cousins, relatives and numerous friends, especially the past pupils of St Patrick's and the parish community of St Patrick's church and St Gregory's in Sliema. - R.I.P. The funeral leaves Zammit Clapp Hospital tomorrow at 1.45 p.m. for St Gregory's parish church, Sliema, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 2 p.m., followed by interment at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers by request but donations for Salesian vocations will be greatly appreciated.
Appreciation - Capt. Bennie Grech
Mr Jovin Rausi writes:
It was a great shock to all of us who knew him to learn that Bennie had left us, relatively suddenly, and for a better world.
We all knew that since last June he had been unwell, and yet it was only a few weeks ago that he dropped in to see us at St Paul's Bay during an international sailing event, during which he would usually have been a leading protagonist in its organisation. But, typically, Bennie could not resist not being there, and during his visit nothing pleased him more than to relish the warm welcome he received from the sailing community, young and old, who were all extremely happy to see him after having heard for many weeks that he had been unwell. During his visit Bennie was full of advice as to how we can improve the event for next year and he told me how he greatly missed not having been with us at that event.
Bennie's name is synonymous with the sport of sailing in Malta. He was a founder, and subsequently president, of the Malta Sailing Federation for many years, a stalwart supporter and long-serving member of the Royal Malta Yacht Club and of the Birzebbuga Sailing Club. He was the Principal Race Officer of countless sailing events, both at local and international levels. He was also greatly involved in the formation of many sailing clubs, including his much loved Malta Young Sailors Club, and of many sailing associations. Bennie was known to everyone in the sailing community, highly respected and loved by all, even amongst the younger sailors of today. Bennie was always full of advice, enthusiasm, and energy and he jumped at every opportunity to be of assistance in every aspect of the sport.
I was greatly privileged to share with him the organisation of many such events over the last 29 years, the last being the GSSE 2003 last June. The void he left in the sailing community was immediately felt when he recently, and reluctantly, stopped being directly involved in the organisation of sailing events.
Many now realise the immense void he left behind and which everybody thought would never happen, because to many, Bennie somehow always seemed to have been there, and will remain there, for ever. May he rest in peace.
In Memoriam
AGIUS - LOUIS. Loving memories of a dear husband, father and grandfather on the seventh anniversary of his demise. Sadly missed by his wife Kitty, his children Noel, Patrick, Sandra and Joanne, in-laws and grandchildren.
BALDACCHINO - DAVID. In ever loving memory of a very dear son and brother on the third anniversary of his demise. Deeply missed but never forgotten by his parents Marthese and Charles, his sister Ingrid and her husband Neville.
BIANCO. Fond memories of a loving husband and father, ALFRED. Never forgotten and always remembered by his wife Sylvia, children Carol, Dorien, son Sandro and grandchildren.
ELLUL SULLIVAN. In loving memory of GEORGE and LILIAN née Critien on their anniversary. Sandra and David.
GABARRETTA. In loving memory of a dear husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, PAUL, on the fourth anniversary of his demise. Sadly missed by his wife Rose, children, grandchildren, relatives and friends. A prayer is solicited.
GATT - ANNA née Briffa. On the fourth anniversary of her demise. Unfading memories of a dear mother. Fondly remembered by Vivian, Mark, Lara and Bobby. A Mass for the repose of her soul will be said today at 9 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish church, Balluta, St Julian's.
PULLICINO - THERESA. In ever loving memory of a beloved mother and grandmother on the 12th anniversary of her death. Her family.
MEILAK BRUNETTI. In loving memory of a dear sister, DOLLY. Always in our thoughts, Nino, Jane and family in Canada.
SAID - WILFRED. Nine years ago we lost you, but your loving memories will remain with us forever. Rosanna, Adrian, Marilouise and families.
SAMMUT. In loving memory of JOSEPHINE, January 16 being the sixth anniversary of her meeting the Risen Lord. Fondly remembered by her husband Joe, sons, their wives, grandchildren, relatives and friends. Lord, grant her eternal rest.
SPITERI. Everlasting memories of JOSEPH on the first anniversary of his demise. Doris, Sandro and Cristina, Sarah and grandchildren.
SULLIVAN - LILIAN née Critien. Loving memories of our dear sister. Gladys, Joe, Eddie, Albert and Tony.
ZAMMIT - EDWARD, family doctor. Treasured and loving memories of a precious and most beloved husband, father and grandfather, who went to meet the Risen Lord on January 23, 2001. Dearly loved and so sorely missed by his wife Charlotte, children Maria and Martin, Jo-Anna and Mark, John and Melissa, and Mark and Denise, and grandchildren Francesca and Sam, Thomas and Paul, and Zak, Zoë and Zane Edward. An evening Mass will be celebrated on Friday, January 23, at 7 at St Rita's chapel, St George's Bay, St Julian's. Jesus, Mary, Joseph.
Pharmacies Open Today
Malta 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. Gozo 7.30 to 11 a.m.
Empire Pharmacy Branch, 46, Melita Street, Valletta;
Cosmed Pharmacy, 'Soccors', Villambrosa Street, Hamrun;
Lantern Pharmacy, Misrah il-Kebbies, St Venera;
Pharmaplus, Ganu Street, Birkirkara;
St Matthew's Pharmacy, 213, The Strand, Gzira;
Spizerija Merhba, Shop 2, Lapsi Street, Ta' Giorni;
Wales Pharmacy, 183, Manwel Dimech Street, Sliema;
St Catherine Pharmacy, Triq id-Dielja c/w St Catherine Street, Attard;
Pillbox Pharmacy, 2, Bjad Street, Naxxar;
El Medina Chemist, Triq il-Fliegu, Qawra;
Maddalena Pharmacy, Shop 2, Binja tal-Faqqani, Tower Promenade, Sta Lucija;
White Cross Pharmacy, Shop A, Block 1, Fuq San Pawl, Cospicua;
Fgura Pharmacy, St Thomas Street, Fgura;
Pompei Pharmacy, 28, Xatt is-Sajjieda, Marsaxlokk;
Kristianne Pharmacy, Triq ic-Cavi, Mqabba;
Nobel Pharmacy, Sciortino, Street, Zebbug;
Ideal Pharmacy, 63, Main Street, Rabat;
Palm Pharmacy, 2, Palm Street, Victoria, Gozo;
Lauretana Pharmacy, 36, Mgarr Road, Ghajnsielem.