Matthew Wismayer, who turned a cancer diagnosis into inspiration, dies aged 53

Matthew Wismayer, who set up the Schools for Africa Malta Foundation while suffering a terminal illness, passed away on Monday, leaving a trail of tributes for a man known to be an “inspiration” through his actions, values and strength.

Wismayer, 53, turned his two-year battle with cancer into a positive mission to empower African communities through education, supporting the less fortunate and remaining dedicated to giving back even at his most challenging time.

His legacy will now live on in his philanthropic initiative, the communities he touched and the futures he helped build, tributes noted.

Donations for the Schools for Africa Malta Foundation, which was “very close to his heart”, are being encouraged to honour his life and to help continue his mission and dream.

Homage on Facebook showed Wismayer was also known as an entrepreneur, a devoted father, a mentor and, above all, a humanitarian.

His cancer experience had inspired him to pursue his philanthropic goals, leading to the establishment of the foundation that focused on improving access to education for children in underserved communities.

In an interview on TVMnews in August last year, Wismayer talked about changing his pain into hope and love, instead of giving up, when he learnt he was suffering from an advanced stage of cancer two years earlier.

Strength in faith

His faith was his greatest strength, and in that challenging time, he remained deeply committed to helping others and even offered them hope.

Wismayer had gone to pray at the Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary when he received the distressing diagnosis. It was at that moment, filled with new strength and courage, that he had felt a call to help children and communities in need, deciding to start the project in Africa that would educate hundreds of boys and girls.

Despite having to undergo medical treatment and hardship, the foundation gave him a new lease of life, turning a negative experience into something constructive, he had said. Faith and belief had not only helped him but had given him direction.

He was quoted as saying he felt God had given him a role, and that while he was not superhuman, he was at peace in his heart and the only important thing was to serve.

“I encourage people to have faith, because it is difficult on your own. I would not be here today without my faith,” he had told TVMnews.

Ghana project with king's blessing

The educational project on an island in Ghana was launched in November, just two months before he passed away.

Wismayer had approached the Ghanaian monarch, His Royal Majesty Notse Nii Nortey Owuo IV, King of the Osu people in the Greater Accra Region, who had studied at the University of Malta and felt close to the country.

The idea was welcomed and 8,000 square metres of land on Ada Island, aimed at “building opportunity, dignity and hope for generations to come”, were officially transferred to the project in a signing ceremony in Parliament in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Ian Borg.

In an interview last month, Wismayer had announced the plot of land on Ada Island would soon be transformed into an educational and community complex that included a new school for over 300 students, a chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu, a clinic and residences for Maltese and international volunteers.

Construction should kick off shortly, with the first milestone, the kindergarten block, planned for completion by Q3 2026.

Wismayer may not be around to see the fruit of his initiative, but he had already experienced the “unbelievable” response to it and fundraising events in aid of the foundation.

In tribute, the Schools for Africa Malta Foundation said Wismayer’s initiative was “a personal mission and a lifelong commitment to creating opportunity where it was needed most”.

He passionately believed that every child deserved access to education, dignity and hope, the foundation said. As co-founder, he worked tirelessly to support communities, empower young lives and improve their future.

“Even through his most difficult moments, his focus remained on others and on how more could be done to help.

"His compassion, generosity, and leadership shaped the foundation into what it is today. The impact of his work will continue through every school supported, every child reached and every life changed.”

A pet food success story

Wismayer made a name for himself in the business world as the owner of Pet Nutrition House, a pet food distributor founded in 2001 that does business in over 85 countries.  

Wismayer built a company that grew from a local operation into an international brand, exporting to several countries worldwide, positioning Malta on the global pet nutrition map. But beyond commercial success, Wismayer was known for his hands-on leadership style, resilience and long-term outlook.

“His legacy lives on through the business he built, the charitable work he championed and the lasting impact he had on Malta’s business community.”

As it prepared to protect the legacy he left behind, Prince & Princess Malta honoured its founder and managing director, who it said, faced every chapter of his life with dignity, courage and positivity, leaving a lasting impression on everyone around him.

“From humble local beginnings, Matthew built a brand that grew beyond borders, proving that passion, belief and hard work can turn vision into reality,” the company wrote on Facebook.

Wismayer passed away surrounded by his loved ones, with his son Sean saying he “lost my mentor, my rock and the kindest and most selfless man that I was blessed to have known”.

He and his sister Erika thanked their father for shaping them into the persons they are today; for teaching them “what it means to lead with kindness, to stay humble in success and to always put family first”.

His daughter shared a video on Facebook with “a heart that is completely broken”, describing her “hero” as “my greatest teacher and my strongest example”.

Speaking about his resilience, courage and unconditional love, she said he was “incredibly strong, never gave up and kept fighting until the very end”.

Matthew Wismayer and his wife Annabelle.

Wismayer’s wife Annabelle also thanked everyone for the “overwhelming love, prayers and kind messages during this very difficult time. “Your support has given us comfort and strength,” she said, appealing for donations to the foundation he was so proud of, instead of flowers, at his funeral.

Wismayer spoke openly about his health battle and how it reshaped his outlook on life. In February 2024, he had said he appreciated the value of celebrating his birthday more than ever. His journey with stage four cancer inspired him to see life from a different perspective, he had said.

“Life is not about waiting for the storm but learning how to dance in the rain. Life is 10 per cent what happens to you and 90 per cent how you respond to it.”

The outpouring of grief and condolences continued to highlight and appreciate his guidance, encouragement and the wisdom he shared, with friends describing him as “a great human being and an exceptional businessman” and remembering his smile, even while he was fighting a serious illness.

The celebration of Matthew’s life will take place at St Julian’s Parish Church at 9am on January 22. Donations to Schools for Africa Malta can be made through: https://donate.stripe.com/28o7un2lA6cw2hW3cc