Organisers of the various feasts in Valletta were in mourning on Wednesday after a well-known enthusiast succumbed to injuries he suffered when he fell off a ladder on Monday. 

Mario Mintoff, 58, had been dismantling street decorations in Republic Street when the incident happened.

His death was announced by the police. 

Mintoff was heavily involved in activities at St. Augustine’s parish and was a beloved figure in the community, described on social media as a man with a heart of gold.

A familiar face on the streets of Valletta, Mintoff worked at a jeweller on St Lucy Street and served as the rector of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Consolation. His brother is billiards and snooker champion Frans Mintoff. 

Described as a “true gentleman” with “an infinite capacity for kindness”, friends took to social media to mourn Mintoff's tragic loss. 

“Valletta has lost one of its last living saints,” a friend wrote. 

“Mario, you will be loved by everybody who knows you. You adored every parish in Valletta without favour and they adored you back.” 

Mario Mintoff, she said, was a fountain of empathy and could often be seen knocking on the doors of the elderly to see if they needed help. 

“Rest in peace my friend, we can never forget you.”

The various Valletta parishes expressed their condolences. 

The Confraternity of Our Lady of Consolation in Qormi and Luqa also expressed their condolences to the Mintoff family as well as to the Valletta community that Mintoff served.