I came to know Joe Cassar while attending a conference in Portugal when he was the Maltese ambassador there. He waited for Vincent Moran and myself, both former members of Parliament, at the airport. He hosted us during the visit and had long conversations in our free time.

That developed into a friendship, which I treasured and appreciated. My family had invited him and his wife, Tanja, to Gozo for a day and a meal at my house.

Over the years we remained in touch because to me he was an honest friend and a gentleman. I sought his advice on several matters and he always obliged. Partisan politics never came into our discussions although we came from different political camps.

The last time I asked for his assistance was with regard to a seminar the former parliamentarians held last November 2017 about ‘Stateless persons’. He helped in the preparations of documents and also attended the seminar to ensure everything went well.

Malta and myself have lost not only a friend and a gentleman but one of the country’s most loyal servants. I express my sincere condolences to his wife Tanja, his children and in-laws.

My dear friend, Joe, rest in peace.