Giovanni Felice

Giovanni Felice (Sliema 21 January 1899 – Sliema 16 March 1977) was a Maltese politician. He was appointed as Minister of Justice from 1953 to 1955, as Minister of Industry and Tourism from 1962 to 1966, and as Finance Minister from 1966 to 1971 in the Giorgio Borġ Olivier cabinet.[1]

The Honourable

Giovanni Felice

LLD
Finance Minister of Malta
In office
7 April 1966 – 10 March 1971
PresidentAnthony Mamo
Anton Buttiġieġ
Prime MinisterGiorgio Borġ Olivier
Personal details
Born(1899-01-21)21 January 1899
Sliema, Malta
Died16 March 1977(1977-03-16) (aged 78)
Sliema, Malta
Political partyNationalist Party
Spouse(s)Martez née Dacoutros
ChildrenGrace, Mario, Anton, and Alfred.

Early life

Family

Giovanni Felice was born in Sliema, and spent the rest of his life living there.

Education

Felice studied at the Royal University of Malta, graduating with a degree in law on 4 October 1922. He continued his studies in Criminology and International Law at Sapienza University of Rome. Upon his return to Malta, he practiced as a lawyer for several years while serving as an examiner in International Law. Felice was president of the "Guild of Graduates" and also "Sliema Band Club".[2]

Personal life

Giovanni Felice married Martez (née Dacoutros) and they had four children: Grace, Mario, Anton, and Alfred.

Political career

In the early 1950s, Felice was invited to enter politics with the Nationalist Party. In 1953, he served as a member of the Opposition. In 1954, he was appointed Minister of Justice. In the following years, he served as the Minister of Industrial Development and Tourism[3] as well as Minister for Finance, Customs and Port.[4][5][6][7] He retired from politics in 1971.

Felice was a member of the Maltese delegation at the "Round Table Conference" in September 1955. He was a leading figure during crucial talks with some high-profile British government representatives at Marlborough House in London and participated actively in various other conferences. These talks led finally to Maltese Independence on 21 September 1964.[8] Felice, in his capacity as Governor of the Central Bank of Malta, was also the first Maltese to deliver a speech in Washington on behalf of the Government of Malta. On the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Central Bank of Malta, a silver coin was minted depicting Felice.[9]

Death and state-funeral

His funeral, in March 1977, was attended by many of his Sliema constituents together with Members of the Nationalist Party, the Malta Labour Party, and president Dr. Anton Buttigieg. He was the epitome of honesty, sincerity, and loyalty to his party.[10] Felice was mentioned by Hon. Guido de Marco in his last speech as a man of great culture and knowledge.[11]

References
  1. "Dr. Giorgio Borġ Olivier". Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  2. "Socjeta Filarmonica Sliema". Sliemabandsacrocuor.org. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  3. Zarb, Anthony (12 June 2010). "The Introduction of modern company legislation in Malta – The Malta Independent". Independent.com.mt. Archived from the original on 16 September 2013. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  4. "General Public – About the Institute – History of the Institute". Miamalta.org. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  5. "Cabinet". Kolumbus.fi. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  6. "07-Dr Giorgio Borġ Olivier | Maltese History & Heritage". Vassallohistory.wordpress.com. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  8. "Selected Originals – DR BORG OLIVIER WITH PATRICK GORDON WALKER – British Pathé". Britishpathe.com. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  9. "Maltese Commemorative Coins – The Central Bank of Malta". Centralbankmalta.org. 17 April 1968. Archived from the original on 3 February 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  10. "Memories of a selfless MP and minister". timesofmalta.com. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  11. "Parlament Ta' Malta". Parlament.mt. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
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