A great man, a humble and pleasant person, a dedicated priest of the Church, a great preacher. Mgr Dun Salv Borg left us on 27 September at 1.45pm and just two hours before he passed away, my wife and I were there in hospital next to him.

On Friday, last triduum of St George feast in Gozo of this year, my wife and I spent over an hour talking to him sitting at St George’s Square. The day after we were going to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his ordination and that of my cousin, Can Dun Guzepp Borg. I asked Dun Salv: “When are we going to celebrate your 50th anniversary, Salvinu”. He laughed and told me that he won’t make it till then. Unfortunately, he was right.

In the late 1990s Mgr Salv Borg went to Canada for the local feast of St George. I used to live there then. He delivered a homily at the Maltese church of St Paul’s Shipwreck on Dundas St W. He received a standing ovation and after about 10 years I haven’t forgotten that sermon he delivered.

In 2006, Dun Salv preached at the Qormi triduum of St George. Once again, his sermons were very unique, full of substance and nicely woven words in honour of St George Martyr.

I knew Dun Salv since we were little kids since his father was the brother of my cousin-in-law and I used to visit Gozo very often so our friendship started many years ago. He has always been a pleasant person to talk to. His smile was always present on his face. His sincerity has always been a shining virtue in him.

When he became the Archpriest of the Basilica I was in Canada and I was very happy when I heard the news. When I came for holidays and visited him as the Archpriest, we had a long talk together.

I visited him a few times with my wife in hospital and even under such stress and pain, Dun Salv tried to smile and hold our hands and he blessed us before we left his bedside.

Our beloved Mgr Salv Borg is gone but his memory will remain in our minds and hearts. He loved us all and we loved him also. Now he’s with God, with Mary and our beloved St George.

So long mahbub Dun Salv. You’re leaving a huge emptiness in Gozo and in our hearts.

Alfred Grech

Mosta