Klaus Vella Bardon writes:

The death of Mario Mifsud Bonnici robs Malta of a colourful personality. He was a member of the Mifsud Bonnici family that has gifted Malta with prominent men in the legal, political and religious domains. Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, the legendary ‘Il-Gross’, was his uncle.

I had the privilege of knowing Mario as a university student in the turbulent 1960s when the student body, though small by today’s standards, was very active and socially involved as Malta achieved independence and moved into an era of more responsibility.

Mario was a Nationalist and a militant Catholic to the core and must have been inspired by the ideals expressed in the Nationalist Party hymn penned by ‘Il-Gross’. He was always in the thick of things and one of the few who fearlessly defended victims of human rights abuses inflicted by the Labour Party regime of the 1970s and early 1980s.

I remember distinctly his direct involvement in defending the trade union rights of the Medical Association of Malta, as well as the nuns of the Blue Sisters who ended up being unceremoniously booted out of the island. In fighting the despotic Mintoffian regime, he never lost heart. Many of his endeavours will remain unknown to most. Unhonoured and unsung would be a worthy epitaph.

However, he was no fanatic and was not blind to the faults and shortcomings of his side nor would he hesitate to criticise them or even take a stand against them.

He never sought the limelight, reward or honours. His indifference to money and his readiness to assist the underprivileged without remuneration was astonishing. In this, he must have been strongly influenced by the generous culture of his family upbringing.

He had a phenomenal analytical and objective mind matched by an ability to recall events and names effortlessly.

Undoubtedly, he was very well informed on many episodes of our country’s chequered history that will sadly die with him.

He was blessed with an outstanding wife, Helen, who selflessly grappled with his chaotic lifestyle and raised a family of four.

Above all, Mario was great company. Even in his later years, he could hold his drink with ease and was a first-rate raconteur who enlivened us by his presence. He will be greatly missed.