Social and Personal

ABELA. On October 22, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Gabriella née Pace and Kevin, God's precious gift of a first-born son - Adam. Deo gratias et Mariae. Special thanks to the obstetrician, paediatrician, doctors and midwives for their kindness and dedication.

BARTOLO. At St Philip's Hospital, to Marthese née Schembri Wismayer and Ivan, God's precious gift of a son - Anthony, a most welcome brother to Kyle and Martina. Deo gratias et Mariae. Special thanks to the obstetrician, paediatrician, theatre staff and midwife.

GALEA. On October 23, at St James Capua Hospital, to Charlene née Hall and Antoine, God's precious gift of a first-born son - Shane. Thanks to the midwives, the obstetrician and all the staff at St James Capua Hospital.

MARTIN. On October 24, at St James Hospital, Zabbar, to Gertrude née Caruana and Robert, God's precious gift of a son - Gabriel. Special thanks go to the obstetrician, midwives Mariella Abela Camilleri and Anna Croucher and all the staff at St James Hospital.

MERCIECA. On October 25, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Caroline née Zammit Briffa and Martin, God's precious gift of a son - Marcus, a most welcome brother to Miguel and Nicholas. Deo gratias et Mariae.

MIFSUD. On October 18, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Myra Ann née Meilak and Stephen, God's precious gift of a son - Matteo, a most welcome brother to Miguel. Special thanks to all the maternity staff, especially Nathalie Falzon.

MUSCAT. On October 21, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Katia née Borg and Kevin, God's precious gift of a first-born son - Samuel. Thanks be to God and Our Lady. Special thanks to all the dedicated maternity staff.

SEIFERT. On October 25, at St James Capua Hospital, to Angele née Borg and Marcus, God's precious gift of a daughter - Lucia Kate, a most welcome sister to Jacques. Thanks to the obstetrician, midwife Lilian Azzopardi and all the staff at St James Capua Hospital.

SPITERI. On October 23, in Bucharest, Romania, to Monica and Kenneth, God's precious gift of a first-born daughter - Sarah Michelle.

VASSALLO. On October 23, in Sussex, UK, to Pia née Farrugia and Patrick, a son - Saul, a welcome brother to Kathryna. Deo gratias et Mariae.

VELLA. On October 13, at Karin Grech Hospital Maternity Wing, to Berta née Magri and Kevin, God's precious gift of a first-born son - Andrew. Deo gratias et Mariae. Special thanks to the staff at the post-natal ward for their care.

ZAMMIT ARIKAN. On October 14, at St James Capua Hospital, to Aslihan née Arikan and Dominic, God's precious gift of a daughter - DIAZ ALI, a most welcome sister to Norma, Sandy, Philip and Janice. Thanks to the obstetrician, the medical team and all the staff at St James Capua Hospital.

Marriages

Mr Anthony Attard and Miss Chiara Vella Bardon
The marriage took place on Saturday, November 1, at Our Lady of the Annunciation parish church, Balzan, between Anthony, son of Mr and Mrs Joseph Attard, and Chiara, daughter of Dr Mark J. Vella Bardon and Alina Darmanin. A reception was later held at the Casino Maltese, Valletta.

Mr Malcolm Borg, MA and Miss Samantha Fabry, MA
The marriage took place on Thursday, October 30, at St Publius church, Rabat, between Malcolm, son of Mr E.V. Borg, BA, and Mrs Borg of Sta Lucija, and Samantha, daughter of the late Mr Albert Fabry and of Mrs Betty Fabry of Melbourne, Australia. Nuptial Mass was celebrated by the Very Rev. Mgr John Azzopardi. The ceremony was witnessed by Mr Renald Spiteri, the groom's uncle, and Mrs Jane Butt, the bride's sister. The groom's uncle, Mr Joseph Spiteri, B.Sc., carried out the duties of best man. Miss Chantel Borg, the groom's sister, attended the bride. A reception was later held at the Corinthia Palace Hotel, Attard. The couple are spending their honeymoon in Australia.

Obituary

BAKER. On November 1, at Casa Antonia, Balzan, Theresa Angela, née Sullivan, aged 84, passed peacefully away, comforted by the rites of Holy Church. She leaves to mourn her loss her husband Vincent, her sisters Rose and her husband George Attard, and Patricia and her husband Joe Busuttil, residing in Canada, her sister-in-laws Mary Sullivan, widow of her brother Joe, also residing in Canada, nephews and nieces, other relatives and friends. - R.I.P.
The funeral leaves Casa Antonia tomorrow afternoon for Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery chapel, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said, followed by interment in the family grave. No flowers by request but donations to the Eden Foundation will be appreciated.

Appreciation - Salvo Darmanin

Ms Lucy Darmanin writes:
Salvo Darmanin passed away on September 23. He had just been riding with a friend and was relaxing in his chair at the stables with a soft drink in his hand, when he died. Within minutes both his sons, as well as the paramedics, had arrived.

They tried in vain to resuscitate him, however it was not meant to be; he died, as he wished, in the stable with his horses. Within half an hour, people from all over Marsa, grooms, jockeys, trainers and polo players, had gone to the stable, to confirm the rumour that was spreading fast, all asking, 'Is it true, has Salvo died?'

People left, stunned at the answer; to many people Salvo seemed almost invincible, cleaning his horses every day, a fit and healthy man, full of life, always ready to chat, or give advice, whenever wanted. To us, his family, he left a legacy, his horses and his way of life, that will continue for as long as we are able. The sad part is that it is only now that some people are appreciating the person he was and the help he used to give.

Salvo was a man who lived by his own rules and expected those around him to work and live the same way, but he was not a hard man, in truth he could be very sensitive and sympathetic at times. He could mix with kings, princes and millionaire businessmen, but he never forgot who he was or where he came from, and always had time for the man in the street.

For those who went against him he was a thorn in their side at best, a tyrant at worst, but for those who came into contact with him, he will not be forgotten easily. A man of many sides and many faces, he liked the simple things in life, his horses, his family and food.

As his daughter-in-law, I saw many of these faces, the family man, the professional, the tyrant, the horse master and the teacher. Yet there were facets of him that even I did not know. He made me laugh with stories about the past, and spoke about his time in Ireland with affection, but most of the time we talked polo.

He taught me more about the game, while exercising our horses on the old racetrack, than anyone could have. I learnt about tactics, and what to look for, how to find openings and defend against a stronger team. He showed me how to look after myself on the polo field, a novice against strong players. I was lucky to play on his team in a beginner's tournament and got the full benefit of his knowledge as a result.

His life story is amazing, the boy born in Hamrun, who became a legend. He won Best Jockey twice at the Rabat road races before he was 12 and came second in the Queen Elizabeth Coronation Cup at the age of 13. However, it was when he was spotted by the late Lord Mountbatten of Burma, schooling polo ponies for his father, that his career took off. It also meant the start of a life-long friendship with Lord Mountbatten for whom he bought many polo ponies and a black Tunisian Barb called Black Knight, which was later to be ridden by Queen Elizabeth. Later, Prince Charles was also able to benefit from Salvo's experience when Salvo captained his team to win the Keys Cup in 1969.

In the late Fifties, Salvo joined "The Maltese Cats", at the request of Captain Tony Cassar, and joined him and the Galea brothers in the best and most famous Maltese team of all time, winning the prestigious "Cawnpore Cup" on numerous occasions, including an unbeaten run of 11 consecutive victories. During this time Salvo was also a well known harness racing jockey with several victories in prestigious races.

In the early Seventies, Salvo was sponsored by millionaire Galen Weston to help boost the game in Ireland. He filled Galen's stables with Argentine horses, and it was at that time that he discovered Henry, a Palomino Argentine polo pony which many players thought to be untrainable, including Paul Withers a top player and judge, who later had to eat his words when Salvo and Henry placed first in the 1972 Polo Pony Championships at the Dublin International Horse Show.

Success at home and abroad earned him a place in the book Chakkar which only listed players with a handicap of five and above. Salvo continued to divide his time between Ireland and Malta, where his English wife Ann was continuing to run his Livery stable and Riding School business.

During the Eighties and Nineties, Salvo continued running his business, with international matches and tours against teams from India, Italy, Germany, England and Ireland. His youngest son Mark followed in his father's footsteps and worked for a period of time in Ireland as a professional polo player, while his older son Steve was trained racehorses. In 1997 Mark and I were married, and the riding school started teaching dressage and jumping again after a break of over 10 years.

However, after our daughter was born in 2000, Salvo expressed a wish to retire, so slowly we began to phase out in the business, although he still wanted to keep our own horses and play polo. Earlier this year we moved out of our large stables, to a smaller place nearby.

We had hoped that Salvo would now be able to enjoy the quiet life and that he would live out his retirement with his family and his horses, but it was not meant to be. Yet we will continue our lives as he would have wished, riding, playing polo and enjoying the horse we have.

We would like to thank everyone who has given their sympathy and support over the past few weeks; it has helped us to know how much he was respected by those around him.

In Memoriam

BUSUTTIL. In everlasting of our beloved parents Calcedonio and Mary and our brother Twanny on the anniversary of their demise. The family.

CORDINA - Esther. Precious memories of a much loved wife, mother and grandmother on the first anniversary of her passing away. Fondly remembered by her husband, sons, daughters, in-laws, grandchildren, her brothers, relatives and friends. A Mass for the repose of her soul will be said on Friday, November 7, at 6.30 p.m. at St Julian's parish church.

CORSO - Grace. Lovingly remembered on the 19th anniversary of her death. Always missed by her family.

GALEA TESTAFERRATA - Rose. Always remembered with love and affection. Naida and Eric.

GRECH SANT - Louis J. In loving memory of a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather on his third anniversary. So dearly loved and now so missed by his wife Evelyn, daughters Mariella and her husband Charles, and Marie Therese, his sons Anthony and his wife Moira, Joseph and his wife Anna, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. "You will always live in our hearts".

PACE BALZAN - Wanda. In loving memory of a dear wife, today the second anniversary of her demise. May God grant her eternal rest. George.

PACE BALZAN. In loving memory of our sister WANDA on the second anniversary of her death. Please say a prayer. Marie, Antoine and Henry.

PACE BALZAN - Wanda. In loving memory of a dear friend. Carmelina.

PECORELLA - Carmen. Treasured memories of a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother on the fourth anniversary of her demise. Forever in our hearts and prayers. Dearly remembered by her children Godfrey, Mary Rose, Ian, Lucienne and their families. A Mass for the repose of her soul will be said on Sunday, November 9 at 8.30 a.m. at the Salesians Oratory, Sliema. May the Lord grant her eternal rest.

PISANI. In everlasting memory of AUDREY, Tuesday, November 4 being the second anniversary of her passing away. Always in our thoughts and prayers. Alfred, Keyth, Dyrck, Enyd and family. A Mass for the repose of her soul will be said on Tuesday, November 4, at 7.30 p.m. at the Millennium chapel, Paceville.

SCIBERRAS - Michael. Three years ago you passed away, leaving behind you a void which no one can ever fill. Always remembered with love by your dearest wife Carmelina, your sons Saviour and Victor, your daughters Monica and Marina, their respective wives and husbands, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

ZAMMIT TABONA - Francesca. On the 13th anniversary of her death at the tender age of 15. Always in our minds and prayers. Your loving parents Moira and Richard, brothers Miguel and Andrew.

Personal

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised, loved, adored and glorified throughout the whole world, now and forever. Amen. L.B.

St Therese Of The Child Jesus

Theme: Everyone can become a saint.