The first week of March this year was a terrible one for the people of Marsascala and for me personally. It took away from us three dear friends and dutiful citizens who were totally committed to the general welfare of the entire community.

The first to go was Manuela Micallef who although a Zabbar resident, did her best and dedicated so much of her time to help our local band club to organise many social and cultural activities. Her sudden death leaves a void which is very hard to fill.

The second victim was Joseph Delia, affectionately better known as ‘il-Pompa’. He was active in the affairs of the St Anne Band Club and totally committed to its growth and expansion in many social socio-cultural fields. Joseph was a dedicated official of our Band Club and I as the President of the same society do not only mourn him as a true friend but also as a hard working official who could never say no when the club`s fortunes were at stake. Joseph was also an asset to the community at large and I cannot count the number of times when I asked him to help the community and its less fortunate members, and he did this promptly and voluntarily. Joseph was also a great friend of the majority of ex pats friends of Marsascala. Undoubtedly, we lost a true friend.

The last person of the three we are mourning is Carmelo “Nenu” Spagnol, one of the founders of the Marsascala Bocci Club and a veteran player of the game. Nenu left us after illness and his loss is going to be felt not only by me as president of the same club but by all committee members, players and members. We are all going to miss his sound advice and his particular sense of humour.

May God grand them rest in peace.

Mario Calleja

Marsascala mayor