“He turned every stressed day into a beautiful day, and we would do everything together. A piece of my heart is gone forever, but I would do it all again in a heartbeat,” said Sarah Casha, one of Professor Aaron Casha’s daughters.

Casha was a father, husband, an excellent surgeon and a kind teacher who, after being treated in hospital for complications, passed away on 13 May at the age of 54. He was Malta’s youngest Coronavirus victim and the sixth person to die as a result of Covid-19.

Many colleagues, friends and students paid emotional tributes to Casha on social media, recalling their moments with him, his love for research and his golden heart.

His wife, Marilyn Casha, a consultant anaesthetist, has been nominated for the European Citizen’s prize on behalf of all Maltese Covid-19 frontliners.

His daughter’s Hannah and Sarah Casha spoke to The Malta Independent on Sunday, recalling their memories of their father and how his creative and cheerful spirit plays a valuable part in their life.

As a researcher he carried a sense of adventure and want of discovery

“Although one might think of a researcher as dull or rigid, my father was neither of these things. His ingenuity extended well beyond the sphere of academia. One thing he always insisted on was having the flexibility of a child- flexibility in the sense of adventure and want of discovery,” said Hannah.

She recalled how his refreshing approach encouraged both sisters to be creative, seeing things for what they are and what they could be, and linking different areas together in a harmonious way. “This, he believed, would lead to a unique perspective that just made sense. I hope to bring the same vibrancy as I aim to carry his philosophy forward, both in my personal as well as my academic life.”

She said that, regardless of the subject, field or discipline, her father would encourage them to consume every piece of fact, data or information they could find to enrich their lives. “When I think of this piece of advice, I feel as though I can still hear him, reminding me to strive for what I love, with his brilliant insight and love for all things good.”

Her sister, Sarah recalled her father’s playful side. “He always made studying easy and fun, he would let me put bows in his hair when I did. My dad was my main support system and would always make me happy, at all costs.”

She remembered how his main goal was always to help others, so that his family would be proud of him. She recalled how at times he would postpone going out just so that he could finish some work he would have promised someone. “My dad was someone special and I’m not just saying it because I’m his daughter. He was the most intelligent person I knew and he was always so selfless and had the most innovative ideas.”

She said that many times he would come up with different inventions and loved discussing them with everyone he would meet. Sarah recalls as a father he was the perfect amount of strict and relaxed, and always encouraged her to study hard for a bright future.

“I’ll always remember him as my best friend; the person who taught me so many things, who gave me some of my best memories and loved me unconditionally. The memories I have with him are something so incredible and he turned every stressed day into a beautiful one, where we would do everything together and follow each other everywhere we went. I will always have a piece of my heart gone forever, but I would do it all again in a heartbeat.”