The passing away of a dear friend and colleague such as Anton can be easily defined as the death of a true gentleman. I knew Anton closely as a work colleague when together we were engaged with the commercial arm of the University, namely, Malta University Services over twenty years ago now! Can’t believe how time flies!
The thought process of the commercial arm was that of forging links between campus and industry. One way of forging that link was through Anton’s role in his capacity as director of the Cleaner Technology Centre. That centre represented a joint venture with government to introduce, where possible, environmentally friendly processes in industry. That could be considered as a first local step towards the more current ambitious target of becoming carbon free by 2050.
To my great surprise when we got to know each other Anton asked me a couple of questions and it transpired that he knew my dad too when they both were engaged at Auberge dè Castille performing administrative duties pertaining to the Royal Admiral. Moreover, like me he loved the capital city, Valletta and we would enjoy brain storming each other how the capital city can be revitalised – a matter which has been addressed in the run up to Valletta 2018. Needless to say we both agreed that the place to savour a decent café in the capital city was and still is Café Cordina alongside our favourite pasta – the Diplomatica!!! Oh yes, Anton, like me had a sweet tooth indeed!
When I decided to move into academia so as to pursue my lifelong dream of doing a doctoral degree in Accounting, Anton was one of those that offered moral support as he too was into academia. As things changed on campus way back in 2007, so did my contact with Anton. However, he did keep an eye on what was happening to me as he did just over a year ago to congratulate me on being promoted to senior lecturer. In that exchange of emails, he did mention what his current struggle entailed, though, I have to admit I was completely shocked at the dreadful news he shared with me in that email. The only thing I could offer him was a prayer in front of my collection of statues depicting the crowning with thorns of the Lord – Ecce Homo. His reply was ‘it is words like yours which fills me with hope and strengthens my faith in the Lord’.
Those were the last written words I received from Anton. Surely, now there will not be any further exchange of emails. My dear friend has departed this world and all that is left are the good memories (good laughs included) of a sincere friend who was able to let go of his ego and give a helping hand to anyone who he knew could benefit from the best of his abilities.
Anton, your pain has faded away but your memory will not. As Rev.Fr. James Saydon who presided over your funeral mass, taking on an extract from the gospel, eloquently concluded his sermon with the words ‘thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord’. Those words fit in nicely into your legacy. So my dear friend until we meet again I am more than certain that you have already entered the kingdom as a citizen of heaven.
Sincere condolences to your wife Monica, Konrad, Katya and Angele and their loved ones.