Malta’s “gentleman President” Ċensu Tabone passed away peacefully yesterday morning at his St Julians home, two weeks short of his 99th birthday.

Unanimously esteemed for his kindly and respectful nature, Dr Tabone’s full life led him from his family home in Victoria to studies in Oxford, medical work in Asia, especially Taiwan, ministerial duties under two epochal Nationalist administrations and, ultimately, serving in the nation’s highest office.

Dr Tabone passed away at about 10.30 a.m. while seated in his much-loved armchair.

The boundless energy that characterised him throughout his life had begun to fail him in recent years, as the years took their toll on his health.

Dignitaries were quick to pay tribute to Dr Tabone. President Emeritus Eddie Fenech Adami described his former colleague as an “icon” and spoke of his breadth of knowledge. To President Emeritus Ugo Mifsud Bonnici he was “a man of courage, decisiveness and justice”.

Praise also came from his former political adversaries. “An extremely capable gentleman” was former Prime Minister Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici’s description and former Prime Minister Alfred Sant said Dr Tabone was “wise, prudent and energetic”.

An ophthalmologist by profession, Dr Tabone was already in his 50s when he first entered national politics in the 1960s.

He first cut his political teeth as a young University student contesting the student’s council presidency, losing by a single vote to George Borg Olivier.

Ċensu Tabone was a man of many firsts

The last of 10 children, Dr Tabone was a man of many firsts: the first World Health Organisation ophthalmologist consultant; the first president of the doctors’ union; and the first Maltese President to hail from the PN benches.

Renowned for his strong family values and 70-year marriage to his loving wife Maria, Dr Tabone leaves behind eight children, 19 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

His state funeral will be held on Saturday with a private family burial scheduled for a later date.