Lewis Portelli

I was shocked to hear the news of Lewis Portelli’s sudden demise on Thursday morning.

I have known Lewis for a great part of my life and I owe him a lot in so far as my sports journalism career is concerned.

I have known Lewis for over 40 years, probably since the mid-1960s, when I took up a sports journalism career. Our friendship got closer when he accepted to become a part-time journalist at The Times of Malta, where I was employed then. He covered the Marsa races for my department for several years and he also reported on local football, apart from writing on other subjects every now and then.

He was the perfect example of a man who was totally dedicated to his commitment, whether it was his wife Guza, his home, his workplace, sports, Id-Dar tal-Providenza or whatever. He probably never said ‘No’ to someone who requested his help, especially where sport was concerned. That is why he earned the respect of everyone – the government, the Opposition, the Maltese Council for Sport and the Malta Olympic Committee, among so many others.

I have lived not far away from his residence for many years and I can say I knew him as a very close friend. We used to meet almost every Sunday at the 8am Mass at St Aloysius College Chapel.

Who knows how many times he helped me out in some research work, especially through the most useful books which he wrote throughout his career and also through the vast information library he had at his home in Balzan.

Lewis will not only be remembered for his great contribution to Maltese sport. Needless to say that he was one of the pioneers of local sports journalism – he was also instrumental in the foundation of the Ghaqda Kittieba Sports (Sportswriters Association).

He will also be remembered for the social work which he did voluntarily, especially at the Dar tal-Providenza in Siggiewi, where he has also acted as Public Relations Officer since its foundation in 1965.

It was really fitting that he was inducted into the Malta Olympic Committee’s Hall of Fame last year – he richly deserved it, as he also richly deserved the award of the medal for the ‘Qadi tar-Repubblika’, by the government earlier, and the other awards he ‘netted’ throughout his brilliant career.

I can go on and on, mentioning so many interesting moments in Lewis Portelli’s career. What impressed me most, however, was his faith in God. Once I heard him saying on Radio that he always did his best not to miss Holy Mass on a daily basis, adding that it filled him with great confidence in all that he would do himself on a daily basis. And to cap it all, I have always known Lewis as a man leading by example – I never heard or saw him arguing with anyone.

Lewis Portelli’s demise will leave a big void. He was a real gentleman and a very good man looking at him from all angles. I will certainly never forget his jovial face. He was an exemplary person in all aspects and that is what I will remember most of Lewis, while trying to follow his very good example.

My condolences to his wife Guza.