Today marked a day of solemn mourning and soul searching as long-time broadcaster and prominent education advocate Paul Attard’s funeral was held.

The funeral was held this morning, at 9am at the St Therese Sanctuary, Birkirkara.

Paul Attard, 72, died on Sunday after a fall in Valletta, following his attendance at an activity to celebrate the feast of St John the Baptist.

Mr Attard had previously attended a ceremony, which was presided by President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, organised by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta on the feast of St John the Baptist.

Mr Attard is a former permanent secretary at the Ministry of Education, presented several religious programmes on television, served on the Board of Governors of Mcast and was chairman of the Public Service Commission.  More recently, he was president of the St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation.

During his homily, Fr Joe Borg spoke about Mr Attard’s prominent role in the media and in education. “Paul Attard was always the first to fight for someone’s needs. His aim was to serve others. He was a man of principles and values and he is in a place where he is loved. Nobody loves us as much as God does”.

“In the bible, the story of man begins in a garden and ends in a city. We are here to make life better for ourselves and future generations”.

The congregation packed the lower floor of the church, sitting silently, attentively listening to the father’s words.

Former Presidents Eddie Fenech Adami, Ugo Mifsud Bonnici and George Abela were present and so were PN Deputy Leaders Mario De Marco and Beppe Fenech Adami and European Commissioner Tonio Borg.

Members from the armed forces carried wreaths out of respect to Mr Attard’s son, David, who was a Colonel in the armed forces.