Former PN Tourism Minister Michael Refalo died yesterday morning in Sliema, aged 78.

The Malta Independent spoke to a number of politicians from both sides of the fence, who had nothing but praise for Dr Refalo.

‘I think we owe him a lot’ – Eddie Fenech Adami

I had known Michael Refalo from our student days, I knew him in politics. He was a perfect gentleman, he never refused any job I assigned to him. He was always present and ready to help in any way.

“He did a lot in journalistic field, he was editor of moment and worked with other publications from Independence print.

“I think we owe him a lot.”

‘A sharp-witted politician’ – Leo Brincat

 “A sharp witted politician, a perfect gentleman in the House and beyond, a good sense of humour, and a prolific writer. ..apart from having been an Anglophile at heart. Dr Refalo mixed very well in all types of social circles.

“My last memory of him is the best – braving the ‘weather’ of his ill-health in a wheelchair, but smiling through in his exchanges with the PM and the Opposition Leader and other guests  during the recent unveiling of the Government monument dedicated to former President Emeritus Dr Censu Tabone in St Julians.

Alas, such people ‘do not grow on trees.’ ”

‘We never saw each other as political adversaries’ – Karmenu Vella

“Michael and I never saw each other as political adversaries, we always respected each other’s opinion and always worked together towards tourism

“I had a good relationship with him, not because of me but because of him. It is a huge loss, he was a politician and a gentleman.”

“Even when I was minister and he was shadowing, I used to invite him to events, even if it was something simple like cutting a ribbon.”

One time, Dr Refalo even invited Mr Vella to speak at a conference at the PN kazin in Sliema, such was the respect between the two of them.

‘A man of principle and courage’ – Lawrence Gonzi

I worked closely with Michael for a number of years, and realised how dedicated he was to his political portfolio and the principles represented in the Party.

“I worked with him closer in Opposition during by time as secretary-general, he was a man of principle and courage. He was always at the forefront when it came to the tourism sector.

“He was a very nice man and will be sorely missed by everyone.”

 

‘A person dedicated to the people’ – Francis Zammit Dimech

“He was a person who was dedicated to the people, he was a people’s man. When I entered politics, he was already well known and he was the man to go to if you needed to know anything about your constituents.

“He was on a first name basis with his constituents and very involved in the band club, both Stella Maris and the Gzira band club.

“As we know he is a person who dedicated himself to the tourism sector, I think what he did back then laid the foundations of what we know the tourism sector to be today. He always worked and dedicated his all, even when he was high commissioner, he worked hard to promote and attract Malta.

“He was a fine gentleman and it was an honour to work alongside him.”

 ‘I was still a young child when I met him’ – George Pullicino

“I was still a young child when I first met Dr Refalo, when I was just entering youth and student politics. Despite that fact that he was already in politics and I could have been a competitor on the same district, he always pushed me and other people to do our best.

“He was a person of integrity and very meticulous.”

Political parties express their sorrow

Nationalist Party leader Simon Busuttil thanked Dr Refalo for his work in the PN and as a minister, mentioning in particular his being instrumental in the setting up of the newspaper Il-Mument.

He recalled Dr Refalo's endeavour in the tourism sector and said that, in the earlier part of his political career, Dr Refalo had worked towards the attainment of Independence, He is one of the longest-ever serving MPs, with 33 years of service to the Maltese Parliament.

The Nationalist Party expressed its sorrow and extended its condolences to the Refalo family.

In a statement, the Labour Party also expressed its sorrow, saying that Dr Refalo had worked hard for the country's progress, in particular the tourism sector.