Paul Muscat writes:
Having just arrived from abroad, I phoned my dear friend, Paul Farrugia (il-Kowċ), as I usually did on a weekly basis, to see how he was getting on since he had been facing a medical condition for a number of months that kept him inside for long stretches. I was shocked and so worried to hear from Paul he was at Mater Dei Hospital. The following day I paid him a visit, little realising that this would be the last time I would exchange some words with him.
Despite the fact that he was feeling a bit weak, his sense of humour still prevailed and when I told him that the two Milan teams were doing badly, with a grin on his face, he immediately pointed out that Milan AC were much, much worse than his favourite foreign club, Inter.
Before I left, I promised him I would be visiting him again on Saturday but this was not to be because, on that day, one of our friends, Roland Sollars, called me just before noon to say that Paul’s condition had deteriorated badly. I immediately informed our friends and, together with Jesmond Zammit, agreed to go to hospital. However, just after 1pm, Roland informed us that Paul had passed away.
Luckily, we had managed to see Paul for the last time in the presence of his family and close friends from One TV: Clinton Buhagiar and Antvin Monseigneur, with whom he had taken part in sports programmes where Paul was the main protagonist.
Those fortunate enough to have known Paul, know full well he was a gentleman and so good in many things. He was an excellent coach with so many teams, including his native village, Żurrieq, but he was also a great football analyst. I do not usually follow football discussions but the only exception was the One TV programme and this was only because of Paul.
He will be sorely missed by so many people who just loved to be in his company and who respected him so much. We shall never forget those wonderful hours we spent together in the press room at the Centenary Stadium every Saturday and Sunday.
We shall continue to organise the annual Christmas dinner but, without you, it will never be the same. Up there, you will be warmly greeted by our other friends who had also passed away like Ġużeppi Borg (il-Luqi), Peppi ta’ Ħal-Kirkop, Richard Stagno Navarra, Charlie Cassar (ix-Xlukkajr), Joe Aquilina, Ġulju taż-Żejtun, Salvinu Lanzon, Ġużeppi, who used to work at the Centenary, and, definitely, my father, Ġammari, who used to work with you at Malta Drydocks.
On behalf of our dear friends, I would like to thank you for having given us the opportunity to know you, to learn from you and to share so many wonderful moments with you.
We extend our deepest sympathy to his sisters, Kate and Anna, and his brother, Ċikku.