Fr John Caruana, Sarandi-Parana-Brazil, writes:

In the words of his son John, when writing to me to inform me of the passing away of his father, dentist Henry Caruana left a peaceful atmosphere behind. Well put, John!

This description of Henry, in the words of his son, I am sure is on the lips of the hundreds if not thousands of patients that experienced the loving hands and approach of Henry the dentist.

Apart from his professionalism, in this sense, he served very well the dentistry profession. An example to be imitated in this rush we are all facing nowadays.

I, together with Fr Philip Demarco, became close friends of the Caruana family in my first years as a vice-parish priest in St Julian’s. I remember their elderly son John, when still two years old, folding the daily paper in English, which his father, the inimitable Henry, brought with him when coming for lunch.

I still remember an “unkind” comment of Martinha their daughter, when still in her early years, told me that she thought it strange of me to always visit her family at lunchtime. 

It happened that my mother had died, and Rozanne seeing that I felt a bit disorganised in the first months of her death, told me that I could have lunch with them. Martinha, still a two-year-old, felt that she was not consulted on the matter.

I remember being alone with Henry, going up the stairs in their house, when he called my attention because I was always ‘fatish’. 

And he compared me with him as if he were day and night carrying two big pots of kensi, which my mother cared for in her garden. He always urged me to take care of my over-weight because of my heart. 

And when both in our 30s, he explained to me that when he will be 50, he would be operated upon, because of a defect he has in his heart. And really and truly, two decades passed, and accompanied by his always respectful wife Rozanne, he flew to London and underwent a very successful operation which kept him alive until today – approaching his 80s. 

With his sense of humour, he related how other Maltese patients in the same ward were all too happy to see the dentist with them  saying that “god has sent you” because he helped them by translating for them what the English cardiologist was saying to each one of them in the ward. 

His humour did not stop at that. He read to us a poem which he wrote describing the situation he found himself in after the operation, with pipes all over! John and Martinha should be able to find in some drawer, this handwritten and most original poem. They will know better their jovial father.

Rozanne, I will be praying for you all so that God with the intercession of your husband Henry, who is already in his fold, pass on you the peace of mind and courage you all need in this difficult moment. Loving Henry, be sure that you are still loved and respected by your numerous patients.

I personally will always remember the handsome donations you used to give me for my mission, each time we met at your home or in your clinic for a check-up – till recently.