It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Chairman, Maurice de Giorgio, the driving force behind Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti. Maurice de Giorgio was a highly respected extraordinary gentleman who inspired many, and whose vision helped reshape the Maltese cultural landscape.

Born in Milan and educated both in Milan and Valletta, Maurice had a very distinguished career. His first position as Librarian at the British Institute in Valletta was cut short by the Second World War, during which he served as Lieutenant in the 3rd L.A.A. Regiment of the Royal Malta Artillery. In 1945 he established Maurice de Giorgio Ltd, a company dealing with the importation of building materials and home furnishings. This company later merged with Joinwell Ltd, creating the largest furniture and allied products manufacturing company in Malta, with de Giorgio as Administrative Director.

Maurice de Giorgio's numerous appointments include serving as Honorary Secretary and Council Member of the Federation of Malta Industries, Executive Council Member of the Malta Trade Fair Corporation, Founder Director of the Malta Development Corporation and Member of the Manoel Theatre Management Committee.

In 1992, Maurice de Giorgio was appointed Chairman of Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti, of which he was also a founding member. His dedication to the preservation and promotion of Malta's cultural heritage was recognized when he was invested with The Order of Merit of the Republic of Malta in 1995. His input and counsel on our patrimony were much sought after, and he was Chairman of the Bank of Valletta Exhibition Committee, Director of the HSBC Malta Foundation, a Member of the Committee of Guarantee of Heritage Malta, as well as Chairman of Joinwell Ltd.

As Chairman of Fondazzjoni Patrimonju Malti, Maurice de Giorgio took the Foundation from strength to strength. During his tenure Patrimonju set up eleven splendid exhibitions, was responsible for the transformation of Palazzo Falson Historic House Museum, and published over fifty publications and sixty-two issues of Treasures of Malta magazine.

Maurice de Giorgio will be sorely missed by his family, numerous friends and colleagues, and all those who knew him.