With the death of Joseph Curmi last Wednesday, the Rabat community lost a great, talented, cultured and real gentleman who was also a humble man. Rabat has lost a man known for his voluntary work, his charisma and the unstinting help he gave to those in need. We have lost a man who was an honour to his locality that he loved and appreciated so much.

The great pain he suffered in his last weeks due his illness, which came on him so unexpectedly, caused us much grief.

Many will remember Mr Curmi in his days as a teacher at the Mtarfa Secondary School and later as Assistant Head. The children will surely remember him for his enthusiasm and kind words and advice he always gave them, as will Radju Marija listeners for his weekly programme of sacred and classical music, which he really loved and enjoyed. The administration of this radio station will also be grateful for his work in the distribution of brochures and other material to promote this station, as will the parish of Rabat for his writings and other work connected with the parish.

Mr Curmi will be remembered by the Kerygma movement and the monks of St Dominic Priory for his organ playing at Masses and other religious functions held in the church dedicated to Our Lady of the Grotto. He will also be remembered by those who in the past were involved in the Wignacourt Museum, by the Xirka ta’ l-Isem Imqaddes t’Alla and many other religious communities, by the Fondazzjoni Patri Martin Caruana for his support and work and by many other Rabat communities. Mr Curmi worked in silence for the glory of God.

We spoke about many things and especially enjoyed talking to him about experiences in Italy because his mother was Italian. But the best experience I had with Mr Curmi (or Joe as we knew him) was when I asked him to participate in the programme Mill-Arkivji ta’ Santu Spirtu, which I was presenting at that time on Radio Malta. Together, we were among finalists for the radio programmes awards launched by the Broadcasting Authority. Our team included Mr J.J. Camilleri who died recently and was well known in Maltese literary circles. This programme proved to be a great experience for Mr Curmi, as he had to carry out research on antique manuscripts housed in the National Archives at Rabat. This was a new challenge for him but a really rewarding one, as he was working in an area he had never dreamt about. Many a time, listeners contacted him by phone afterwards to discuss the programme, and share their experiences with him. I really enjoyed listening to him and was delighted to see him so happy and appreciated. But today those who knew him and worked with him are saddened by his death.

I send my condolences to his family and add that his memory will remain with us forever.

Peter Paul Ciantar

RABAT