Social and Personal

BORG. On January 17, at St Philip's Hospital, to Samantha née Grech and Joseph, God's precious gift of a first-born son. Thanks to midwife Mrs Carmen Cannataci, the obstetrician and all the maternity staff.

CACCIATTOLO. On January 18, at St James Capua Hospital, Sliema, to Mariella née Aquilina and Pierre, God's precious gift of a son - NEIL, a brother to Shaun. Thanks to the obstetrician and all the hosptial staff.

CIANTAR. On December 27, at St James Capua Hospital, Sliema, to Francesca née Gambina and Tonio, God's precious gift of a first-born daughter - HANNAH. Thanks to the gynaecologist and all the staff at the hospital.

FARRUGIA BONELLO. On January 8, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Rosette née Bonello and Charles, God's precious gift of a first-born son - GABRIELE. Deo gratias et Mariae. Special thanks to our families for their support and to all the staff at the maternity wing.

ISELISHEVA. On January 20, at St Philip's Hospital, to Irina, God's precious gift of a first-born son. Thanks to the obstetrician and all the staff at the hospital.

PACE BALZAN. On January 18, at the Countess of Chester Hospital, Chester, UK, to Christine née Portelli and Adrian, God's precious gift of a first-born daughter - SOPHIE LOUISA. Deo gratias et Mariae.

PETRONI. On January 19, at St James Capua Hospital, Sliema, to Silvia née Stanica and Duncan-Robert, God's precious gift of a first-born son - GABRIELE. Thanks to the obstetrician, the paediatrician, midwife Carmen Scerri and all the hospital staff.

RIZZO. On January 9, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Kerstin née Serracino-Inglott and Chris, God's most precious gift of a first-born son - TIMOTHY. Praise be to God, the Divine Mercy and Our Lady. Special thanks to our families for their continuous support, our obstetrician and the maternity staff.

ZAMMATARO. On January 14, at SS. Maria Addolorata Maternity Wing, Biancavilla, Catania, to Annamaria née Enriquez and Antonio, God's precious gift of a first-born daughter - ALESSIA. Thanks be to God.

Obituary

AZZOPARDI. On January 22, at St Vincent de Paul Residence, CHARLES of Valletta, ex-personnel manager, Selmun Palace Hotel and ex-GWU Metal Section secretary, husband of Mary, aged 69, passed peacefully away, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his loss his sons Mario, Lino, Raymond and his wife Anna and their children Shana, Joshua and Audrey, his brothers and sisters and their families, his brothers and sisters-in-law, their families, other relatives and friends. The funeral leaves St Vincent de Paul Residence tomorrow at 8.30 a.m. for St Cajetan parish church, Hamrun, where Mass praesente cadavere will be celebrated at 9 a.m., followed by interment at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to Id-Dar tal-Providenza, Siggiewi, will be appreciated. Lord, grant him eternal rest.

BILOCCA. On January 21, JULIET née Aquilina, aged 89, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her loss her husband Anthony Paul, her son Anthony R.P. and his wife Myriam, her daughters Julie and her husband Alfred Bajada and Freda and her husband Robert Ebejer, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, in-laws, nephews and nieces, other relatives and friends. - R.I.P. Mass praesente cadavere will be celebrated today at 2.30 p.m. at Fgura parish church, followed by interment at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to Dar Suret il-Bniedem, Gzira, will be appreciated.

BRIFFA. On January 21, at St Luke's Hospital, YVONNE née Antignolo, aged 75, after a long illness borne with Christian fortitude, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her loss her dear husband Michael, her children Yvette and her husband Anthony Debono, Jeanette and her husband Gordon Gauci Maistre, Rosaire (Museum member) and Michael, her grandchildren Christine, Rachel, Mark Anthony and Trevor, her sisters Mary, widow of Weppi Pace, Olga and her husband Joe Bonnici and Marion and her husband Ron Collins, her brothers Alfred and his wife Eileen and Josie, her sisters-in-law Lina widow of Frank Briffa and Josephine widow of Dr Gaetan Briffa, her brother-in-law Josie and his wife Maria, other relatives and friends. The funeral leaves St Luke's Hospital tomorrow at 2 p.m. Mass will be celebrated at St Gregory's parish church, Sliema at 2.30 p.m. followed by interment at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. No flowers by request, but donations to the Ursuline Crèche in Sliema will be appreciated. The family regret they are unable to receive visitors. Lord grant her eternal rest.

CASSAR. On January 21, at St Luke's Hospital, VIRGINIA, former member of the MUSEUM Society, aged 81, of Gzira, residing at Mosta home for the elderly. She leaves to mourn her loss her dear sister Evelyn, her brothers Joe and Edward of Canada, numerous nephews and nieces. - R.I.P. The funeral leaves St Luke's Hospital tomorrow at 8 a.m. for Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish church, Gzira, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 8.30 a.m., followed by interment at Mosta cemetery.

VELLA. On December 30, at the War Memorial Hospital, Lamlash, Isle of Arran, Scotland, MARGARET née Lanzon, aged 83, passed peacefully away, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her loss her husband Censu, her daughter Joanna, her daughter Carol and son-in-law Tom, her grandchildren Cathy, Luke, William and Thomas. In Malta and abroad, her sisters-in-law Mary Lanzon, Rose Tabone and Mary Azzopardi, also her other relatives and friends. - R.I.P. Mass praesente cadavere was celebrated by Fr Noel Coleford at The Holy Cross church, Brodick, Isle of Arran. Margaret is buried in the forested hills overlooking the sea, in the scenic cemetery at Lamlash, Isle of Arran.

ZAMMIT. On January 21, at St Luke's Hospital, PAULINE (Polly), widow of Joe, passed peacefully away, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her loss her sons Marcel, Tony, Robert and his wife Mary, her grand-daughter Maria, her many relatives and friends. The funeral leaves St Luke's Hospital on Tuesday, January 25 at 9.30 a.m. for the Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery chapel, where Mass praesente cadavere will be celebrated at 10 a.m., followed by interment in the family vault. May she rest in peace.

Appreciation Joe Zammit

Mr Josef Ebejer, of Sliema, writes:

Those who know me know very well what the Christmas season means to me! But when I heard that my friend Joe Zammit was not doing well in hospital my mood changed.

I really regret that I left the festive greetings to Joe late this year. But this is the ill fate of life. And when I made up my mind to visit him I learned that he was in hospital.

I got to know Joe after his retirement as a civil servant with the law courts, some 15 years ago. At the time we were both working for Micallef Insurance Agency and for many years we worked in the same room and same department. At work he was always the first to give a helping hand.

What I used to admire in him was his cheerful attitude, that laugh of his which used to lighten up the whole office. There was that certain something in his character which reminded me of my late father.

Joe Zammit was a versatile and dedicated member of Il-Mixja Neokatekumenali. He did his utmost to encourage me and others to join in. Several times Joe used to tell me that if I joined the Mixja all my problems would be solved. Jokingly I used to reply: "One of the worst things that I hate doing in life is walking".

Our dear Joe is now no longer with us. But his memory will live on in the hearts of all those who knew him and loved him for being the person he was. Joe will always be in my prayers and in a special part of my life.

May the Lord, whom he loved so dearly and for whom he worked incessantly, grant him the eternal reward he so much deserves.

May He in his love and mercy console his beloved wife Margaret and his three children Victoria, Robert, Stefanya and all his family.

Fr Egidio Galea, DD, OSA

Mr Charles S. O'Flaherty, of Sliema, writes:

The news of the sudden demise of Fr Egidio Galea, OSA, on January 3 was a great shock to many who had the honour and pleasure of knowing this humble and very intellectual monk.

He will be missed by people from all walks of life.

Between 1943 and 1944, Fr Egidio was involved in the escape of 2,000 Allied soldiers and prisoners of war from Rome, then under Nazi occupation, together with Fr Aurelius Borg, OSA, and Fr Ugolino Gatt, OSA.

The three Maltese Augustinians were awarded the MBE on March 14, 1945 for services to the British Forces in Italy during World War II.

Fr Egidio wrote a number of researched religious books of great interest to anyone interested in the subject.

May he rest in peace and pray for us as well.

In Memoriam

ATTARD. In loving memory of JEANINE née Mirabitur, a dear wife, mother and grandmother, on the second anniversary of her demise. Fondly remembered by her husband Saviour, children Simone, Jean Paul and his wife Ruth, Mario, and grandchildren Jonathan, Marie Claire and Jeanine, relatives and friends. Lord, grant her eternal rest.

ATTARD MONTALTO. In ever loving memory of ALEX. So dearly missed by his family.

BORG GRECH. In loving memory of JOSEPH BORG GRECH, Ph.C., on the 25th anniversary of his death. Never forgotten by his children Lucia, Ninette, Joseph and Marcelle, Renzo and Evelyn and grandchildren. May he rest in peace.

CACHIA - ANTHONY (Nani). Treasured memories of a very dear father and grandfather on the 21st anniversary of his death. Always in our thoughts and prayers. Lilian and Leslie, Kevin and Audrey and Carol.

DELICATA. In ever loving memory of URSOLA on the seventh anniversary of her death. Fondly remembered by her husband, children and grandchildren.

EARLEY - LOUISA. In loving memory of our mother. Always in our thoughts and prayers. Louise, Isobel, Victoria, Ernest.

FARRUGIA. In loving memory of Dr PAUL FARRUGIA, MD. on the 13th anniversary of his death. Always in our thoughts and prayers. His wife Maria, his children Karen, Gianrico and Mark, in-laws and grandchildren. Eternal rest give unto him, O Lord.

GALEA. In loving memory of a dear husband and father, PAUL, today the 32nd anniversary of his demise. Always in our thoughts and prayers. His wife and children.

GRECH - ALFRED. Treasured memories of a unique and precious husband and father, today the 11th anniversary of his demise. Deeply missed by his wife Josephine, son Christian and daughter Lara.

GRECH - JOSEPH. In memory of a dearest father and grandfather who died on 24.1.1991. His children Paul, Mary Anne, Josette and Carmen, in-laws and grandchildren. Grant him eternal rest, O Lord.

MATTEI - MARIA COSTANTINA. In loving memory, today the anniversary of her death. Remembered always with love and gratitude. Alexandra and Veronica and all the grandchildren.

MICALLEF. In loving memory of ANTHONY, tomorrow the 11th anni-versary of his demise. Fondly remembered by his wife Yvonne, his children Anna, Martin and Rita, in-laws and grandchildren. Please remember him in your prayers.

MICALLEF - REGINALD. Cherished and unfading memories of a dear husband and loving father who left us four years ago. Still sadly missed and mourned by his wife Doris, his children Mary Rose, Edgar and Martha, their spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A Mass for the repose of his soul will be said today at 10 a.m. at San Gwann parish church.

TORTELL. In ever loving memory of GINA née Schembri, today the 28th anniversary of her death. Fondly remembered by all her children, other relatives and friends.

ZAMMIT - EDWARD, family doctor. Treasured and loving memories of a precious and most beloved husband, father and grandfather, who went to meet the Risen Lord on January 23, 2001. Dearly loved and so sorely missed by his wife Charlotte, children Maria and Martin, Jo-Anna and Mark, John Edward and Melissa, and Mark and Denise, and grandchildren Francesca, Sam, Thomas, Paul, and Zach, Zoë-Charlotte and Zane Edward. Mass will be celebrated today at noon at St Rita's chapel, St George's Bay, St Julian's. Jesus, Mary, Joseph.

Prayer To St Jude

O Holy St Jude, apostle and martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke you, special patron in time of need, to you I have recourse from the depths of my heart and humbly beg you to whom God has given such great powers, to come to my assistance. Help me now in my present and urgent need and grant my earnest petition. In return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. St Jude, pray for us and all who honour and invoke your aid. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory. L.B.

Pharmacies open today

Malta 9 a.m. to noon Gozo 7.30 to 11 a.m.

Chemimart Ltd, 3, Freedom Square, Valletta
Blata l-Bajda Pharmacy, 20, St Joseph High Road, Hamrun
Lantern Pharmacy, Misrah il-Kebbies, St Venera
Mackies Pharmacy, L. Casolani Street, Ta' Paris, Birkirkara
St Anthony Pharmacy, 56, St Joseph Street, Pietà
San Gwann Pharmacy, 11, Felic Borg Street, San Gwann
The Economical Dispensary, 86/87, Sir Adrian Dingli Street, Sliema
Iklin Pharmacy, Geronimo Abos Street, Iklin
Rotunda Pharmacy, 7, Eucharistic Congress Road, Mosta
Karizia Drugstore, 87, George Borg Olivier Street, Mellieha
Sta Lucia Pharmacy, 1, Dorell Square, Sta Lucija
Kalkara Pharmacy, 8, Archbisop Gonzi Square, Kalkara
St James Pharmacy, Misrah Is-Sliem, Zabbar
St Catherine Pharmacy, Bishop Emanuel Galea Street, Zejtun
Bronja Pharmacy, Sonata, Bronja Street, Zurrieq
Spizerija Hal-Mula, Dun Salv Ciappara Street, Zebbug
Bahrija Pharmacy, Triq Raddet ir-Roti c/w, Triq l-Iskola, Bahrija
Tac-Cawla Pharmacy 'Marga', Dr Anton Tabone Street, Victoria, St Joseph Pharmacy, 28, St Joseph Square, Qala.