OBITUARIES

BENCINI – On January 10, to Lara née Scerri, and Nicolò, at Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital London, God’s precious gift of a son – OLIVER. A most welcome brother to Emma. Deo gratias et Mariae

AZZOPARDI VELLA. In loving memory of JOHN, former business contributor to The Sunday Times of Malta, who went to the Risen Lord on January 10, aged 85. He leaves to mourn his loss his loving wife Estelle and their children Mark and his wife Marisa and their children Matthew and Maya; Jean Paul and his children Theo and Sam; Adriana, widow of Dr Karl Chircop, MP, and their children Jan, and his wife Zoe, and great-grandchildren Karl and Max, Francesca and her fiancé David, Christian and Keith and his fiancée Emily. Funeral Mass will be held tomorrow, Monday, January 15, at 2pm, at Stella Maris parish church, Sliema.

Lord, grant him eternal rest. DEMANUELE. On January 8, RAYMOND, of Msida, passed away peacefully comforted by the rites of Holy Church. He leaves to mourn his loss his wife Josephine, his children Justin and his wife Clare, Audrey and her husband Josef, his nephews Dior, Andres and Thiago, his brothers and sisters, in-laws, cousins, relatives and friends.

The funeral leaves Mater Dei Hospital on Saturday, January 20, at 8.30am, for St Joseph church, Msida, where Mass praesente cadavere will be said at 9am followed by interment in the family grave at the Santa Maria Addolorata cemetery. No flowers by request but donations to Hospice Malta, would be greatly appreciated. Lord, grant him eternal rest. LAING – Sir JOHN MARTIN KIRBY, CBE, DL, died peacefully at St James Hospital, Sliema, on December 27, aged 81. Beloved husband of Stephanie, much loved father of Edward and Alexandra and devoted grandfather to Charlotte, Kitty, Maddie, Augustus and Felix. Educated at St Lawrence College, Ramsgate, and Emmanuel College, Cambridge. Retired chairman of the John Laing Group and The John Laing Charitable Trust, he remained committed to the welfare of former employees of the company set up by his grandfather. Many key roles included chair, British Overseas Trade Board; president Construction Confederation and Chair Sustainable Construction Task Group; chair, CBI Overseas Committee; chair, World Wide Fund For Nature UK; and chairman, Save The Valletta Skyline Appeal, Malta. He will be greatly missed by the many people whose lives he touched around the world.

A service of thanksgiving will take place at 11am on Thursday, February 8, at St Paul’s Anglican Pro-Cathedral, Valletta.