In 2022 Carmel and his beloved wife Maria moved to Parkfield House Nursing Home, bringing with them cherished memories of a life full of adventure and love.
Carmel’s story begins on the island of Malta, where his parents were born and raised. His father’s work as a factory manager in the soap oil industry took the family to Tunisia, where Carmel was born 89 years ago and grew up as one of several children. His childhood and education just outside the capital city Tunis shaped much of his early life—he attended a French school followed by a technical college, which laid the foundation for his career in engineering.
After finishing his education, Carmel spent some time as a welder in his father’s factory, then moved to French car manufacturer Renault. However, he was determined to come to live in the UK so decided to do his national service with the Royal Army Service Corps. Once in Britain he rejoined Renault as a metal turner apprentice. His precision and dedication to his craft saw him excel, and he later spent 23 fulfilling years at Hoover before that factory closure led him to reinvent himself in the insurance industry.
Being fluent in English, French, Maltese and Italian, Carmel was sought after in his new industry. He worked for General Accident and then spent 22 years with Aviva in the City of London. He very much enjoyed his second career, and one of his fondest memories is of his retirement celebration, attended by 150 colleagues in the grand Commercial Union building.
Back in 1950 Carmel’s life had taken a fateful turn at a French club in London, where he met Maria, a beautiful and kind-hearted young woman from Naples. They married in 1951 and shared 70 wonderful years together until Maria’s passing in 2023. Together, the couple raised two daughters, and their family grew to include four grandchildren, two of whom live in Italy, and three great-grandchildren.
Maria, who had worked at a nurses’ home caring for nuns, was a constant source of love and inspiration. Together, they explored Europe, driving several times to Holland and Germany and often returning to visit Maria’s home town.
Music has always been central to Carmel’s life. Coming from a musical family – his uncle was the leader of an orchestra back in Malta and his cousins were pianists and teachers – he played the accordion and saxophone in a group that performed at weddings and other events in Tunisia. He fondly remembers how much fun it was!
Now, Carmel and his sister Georgette, who lives in Newcastle, are the last of their generation. At Parkfield, Carmel continues to share his stories, love of music and remarkable life journey with those around him. He also keeps in close contact with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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