Louis Cilia, writes:

Tony Mangion died last Monday, on the day dedicated to the presentation of the Lord. His death was not totally unexpected because he was already gravely ill by the beginning of this year. But its suddenness shocked all those who knew him.

I have known Tony for more than 40 years. A few months ago he showed me an old photograph of a SAECS (the union that used to represent the administrative and executive classes in the public service) meeting in the Civil Service Club, in Valletta that probably took place sometime in the late 1960s or early 1970s. At that meeting we were sitting near each other - two young men seemingly not too engrossed in what the speaker was saying. As we scanned the photo together we tried to recognise the faces of the many members present, all of them now retired, some even dead. Our memories hovered for a short time on particular faces remembering old friendships and the odd incidents associated with some. Little did we realise as we pleasantly talked and recollected past events that Tony's span of life on earth was itself fast nearing its end.

Tony was an exemplary person, a caring family man and a loyal incorruptible public officer well known throughout the service for his efficiency and dedication to his duties. He reached the highest position in the public service when, in 1998, he was appointed permanent secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister and head of the civil service, a position in which he served for a short period of only a few weeks. After that Tony returned to his old position as permanent secretary at the Ministry of Transport and Communications, following which he took up duties as a senior official at the Merchant Shipping Directorate of the Malta Maritime Authority.

Tony enjoyed his time at the MMA. Given his background, he was both experienced and adept to deal with the complicated issues involved in his work, especially those involving international maritime relations. Tony never showed bitterness at the way he was treated at the end of his long public service but a chance remark that he once made during a brief conversation I had with him at his office showed that the hurt was still there and, although healed, the pain sometimes surfaced.

I am told that when he realised that his end was near, he arduously prepared himself over the last few months and weeks of his life to his meeting with the Lord. He found great comfort in the bible, which was always near him.

Tony left a great void. His family and many friends will miss him but they will be reassured by the knowledge that his suffering is now over and that he has now found true peace.