Giovanni Felice Explained

Honorific-Prefix:The Honourable
Giovanni Felice
Honorific-Suffix:LLD
Order:Minister of Finance
Term Start:7 April 1966
Term End:10 March 1971
President:Anthony Mamo
Anton Buttiġieġ
Primeminister:Giorgio Borġ Olivier
Order1:Minister of Industry and Tourism
Term Start1:1962
Term End1:1966
Primeminister1:Giorgio Borġ Olivier
Order2:Minister of Justice
Term Start2:1953
Term End2:1955
Primeminister2:Giorgio Borġ Olivier
Birth Date:1899 1, df=yes
Birth Place:Sliema, Malta
Death Place:Sliema, Malta
Party:Nationalist Party
Spouse:Martez née Dacoutros
Children:Grace, Mario, Anton, and Alfred.

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

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, as Minister of Finance was responsible for founding the Central Bank 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]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Dr. Giorgio Borġ Olivier . 26 January 2013 . 16 September 2013.
  2. Web site: Socjeta Filarmonica Sliema . Sliemabandsacrocuor.org . 16 September 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140903024616/http://www.sliemabandsacrocuor.org/page_6d54655.asp.html . 3 September 2014 . dead .
  3. Web site: Zarb . Anthony . The Introduction of modern company legislation in Malta – The Malta Independent . https://archive.today/20130916200214/http://www.independent.com.mt/mobile/2010-06-12/news/the-introduction-of-moderncompany-legislation-in-malta-275895/ . dead . 16 September 2013 . Independent.com.mt . 12 June 2010 . 16 September 2013 .
  4. Web site: General Public – About the Institute – History of the Institute . Miamalta.org . 16 September 2013.
  5. Web site: Cabinet . Kolumbus.fi . 16 September 2013.
  6. Web site: 07-Dr Giorgio Borġ Olivier | Maltese History & Heritage . Vassallohistory.wordpress.com . 26 January 2013. 16 September 2013.
  7. Web site: The Glasgow Herald - Google News Archive Search . https://archive.today/20130916200208/http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2507&dat=19700330&id=6ZRAAAAAIBAJ&sjid=C6UMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1646,6064986 . 16 September 2013 . dead.
  8. Web site: Selected Originals – DR BORG OLIVIER WITH PATRICK GORDON WALKER – British Pathé . Britishpathe.com . 16 September 2013.
  9. Web site: Maltese Commemorative Coins – The Central Bank of Malta . Centralbankmalta.org . 17 April 1968 . 16 September 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160203093314/http://www.centralbankmalta.org/en/1993-cbm-25th-ann . 3 February 2016 . dead .
  10. Web site: Memories of a selfless MP and minister . timesofmalta.com . 23 February 2010. 16 September 2013.
  11. Web site: Parlament Ta' Malta . Parlament.mt . 16 September 2013.