‘I Can Barely Think Right Now’: Heartbreak In Malta As Island Remembers The Best Of Silvio Parnis
Former Labour MP Silvio Parnis has passed away at the age of 57.
Considered a champion of the vulnerable, he served as a member of parliament for 24 years, most recently under the portfolio of Parliamentary Secretary for Active Ageing and Persons with Disability.
He has been battling cancer for a while and took a turn for the worse recently. He was very popular across the political spectrum as seen by the tributes preceding his death.
Tributes have continued to flood the social media platforms as his death was announced. Politicians have scrambled to display their admiration and respect for this man.
Minister for Inclusion, NGOs and Consumer Rights, Julia Farruġia Portelli lamented the loss of a true friend who loved the vulnerable. She described how he always thought of other people before himself and praised his staunch defence of the downtrodden, the sick and the suffering.
“Last Saturday on New Year’s Eve, when you saw me coming near you in hospital you asked how I am. Until the end, you always let others’ needs come before yours,” she said.
Former Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi described how he visited the deathbed of his childhood friend with whom he lived many experiences whilst growing up, from football to religious doctrine lessons, consoling him on his mother’s death aged 15, to travelling together, sharing their joys and sorrows.
He also praises his humble altruism.
“I was near him just a few moments ago, just before he took his last breath. I can barely think right now and my heart is broken.”
Prime Minister Robert Abela lamented that we have lost a man of the people who always strove to better the lives of those less fortunate.
“Silvio Parnis was always a person with whom the conversation always turned to whatever it was that people needed, to what one could do to improve the lot of the most in need.”
Leader of the Opposition, Bernard Grech, also lauded Parnis’s social perspective in his political and professional life and sent his condolences to his family in his name and that of the Nationalist Party.
“In every role he carried, in his political and his professional life, he always stayed close to the needs of the people and asked how he could improve their life.”
Labour Party MEP Josianne Cutajar expressed her sadness at the loss, again highlighting Parnis’s work amongst the vulnerable.
“Silvio’s work in the social sector will never be forgotten. Thank you Sil for all the needy people you helped and your work towards the Labour Party and your country.”
It is refreshing to see our leaders and politicians agree with each other for once and is a testament of the uniting qualities this man has left behind him.
Lovin Malta sends condolences to his wife Dorianne and son Jacob
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