Tifkira Bro Edwin

Suppliment Lulju 2025

OSAYS

OSAYS

In the beginning of the 1980s, the now defunct Old Stelmarians Association felt the need topublish its own NEWSLETTER aimed at keeping contact with the past students of Stella Maris College. By time, the Association had tasked its Youth Section to take responsibility of this newsletter to possibly have it issued regularly on a quarterly basis.

OSAYS (an acronym of Old Stelmarians Association Youth Section) was first published in Quarter 4 of 1983.

The first Special issue entitled MUR GĦAND ĠUŻEPPI waspublished in Nov/Dec 1997 and distributed following the demise of Brother MichaelButtigiegfsc

Editorjal

Is-Sliem Br Edwin

Fi tmiem April, meta d-dinja kienet qegħda tibki lill-Papa Frangisku, kont mistieden fil-Kullegg De La Salle għal laqgħa tal-Familja Lasalljana masSuperjur Generali tal-Brothers, Brother Armin Luistro. Il-laqgħa intemmet b’ikla fejn kelli l-opportunita li, għal kwazi sagħtejn sħaħ, naqsam il-ħsibijiet tiegħi ma’ Bro Edwin. Dik kellha tkun laħħarlaqgħatiegħimiegħu.

Bro Edwin kien wieħed mill-ewwel Brothers li sirt naf meta bdejt l-istudji sekondarji tiegħi fil-Kullegg De La Salle. U fl-aħħar 45 sena, bosta kienu lokkazzjonijiet fejn kelli l-opportunita insegwih kemm fil-Kulleggi ta’ De La Salle u Stella Maris (ul-Qawrawaqtattivitajiet tal-iStelmar Sailing Club) kif ukoll f’dakli qabel kien in-Novizzjatil-Mellieha (illum La Salle Retreat Centre.)

Zgur li kellu ħaga waħda: par idejn sodi li jagħmlu dak kollu li jkun hemm bzonn! Fl-attivitajiet tal-iskola kont nammira kif kien jirnexxielu jispira lillistudenti u lil dawk kollha madwaru. Bosta jfaħħru l-għerf li kellu fil-mod kif iwassalit-tagħlimtal-fizika.

Fl-attivitajiet tal-kommunita, kont issibudejjemprezentiu bit-tonka.

Ma rnexxilix insellimlu waqt l-attivita fl-okkazzjoni tal-festa ta’ San Gwann Battista de La Salle li saret fi Stella Maris ftit jiem biss qabel ħalliena. Imma min kellu jgħidli li se jitlaqna daqshekk malajr?

Is-Sliem Brother Edwin. Min għandek forsi qatt ma rcevejt tagħlim formali fi klassi, imma zgur li ma ser ninsa qatt lezempjulidejjem tajtni.Grazzi.

REMEMBERING

Bro. Edwin Chircop fsc

Where do I start and how can I possibly end this remembrance note, which I feel is so unfortunate to be writing? I will have to go down memory lane of the 80’s.

I remember Edwin at Stella Maris College where he taught for a few years. I came to know him there and remember him as a Brother, a teacher, welder and a mechanic.

During the summer of 84. Edwin got an old Escort and dismantled it in the backyard behind the chapel. We took photos of Edwin sitting on a chair in place of the engine. By hook or by crook, he managed to reassemble and spray the car … that was incredible.

Throughout his stay at the College, he distinguished himself as a teacher of physics, a favourite subject in which he had graduated from the University of Guildford.

Physics for Edwin was not only a science subject, but a practical way of applying science into everyday life. His religious life was very simple and honest. A man of few words but a great and quiet man. His affection toward students and his undeterred commitment to their welfare

were hallmarks of his academic career. I have never seen him miss a class/teaching session except for a short time when he fell grievously ill.

His interests were multifaceted. Apart from teaching he practiced welding and metalwork and during the summer he enjoyed windsurfing and camping on Comino. I can vouch for his expertise in welding. The beautiful layering and twists of the molted welding stick reassuring a perfect weld. It was likeGozo lace.

After SMC he went back to DLS to teach and later to perform various administrative chores. After years at DLS he decided to go back to his youthful town of Gzira and rejoined the SMC community from where he left again, this time not to return, but to join his fellow Brothers, parents and family members.

In conclusion, Edwin was a quiet giant! An artful teacher! A compassionate and faithful religious! He was the type of man who led by example! The tireless, smiling hard worker ultimately decided to rest forever! What more to say? Rest in Peace Edwin.

PICTORIAL RECORD

Facebook messages

Paul Caruana

Such a kind, gentle soul. He had a real passion for maths and physics; I loved his lessons. Rest in peace, brother Edwin.

Joseph M Meli (SMC 1962-1968)

Dear Br Edwin Unite with the Cosmos in Peace. Condolences to the Brothers, Family, Friends and Students.

Joseph Bartolo

May he rest in peace, condolences to his fellow brothers and his family. Valerie Seychell Navarro

Condolences to dear Conrad and your family as well as all the Lasallian Community at St. Benild, Stella Maris and De La Salle! May dear Br. Edwin rest in God's Loving Arms forever. RIP

Patrick Otigbah

May his gentle soul rest in peace with the Lord, Amen

Ronald Bowman

Rest in peace Bro. Edwin. Condolences to his family and the De La Salle Community.

Simonette Restall

Rest in peace Bro Edwin. Thank you for your sterling service to provide a religious and formative education to so many students and teachers. An honour to have worked by your side, Myriam Zammit

May he rest in peace!

Gauden Galea

RIP dear Brother Edwin. You introduced me to Physics and gave me a love of the subject that lasts till today. Your modesty and humour endeared you to us from the first words you spoke in class. Your intellect and ease with the subject were inspiring; you opened a whole new world. Thank you. It was lovely to meet you one last time in 2024.

25 September 2021: Mariella Vella together with the community of Brothers after receiving her Letters of Affiliation (AFSC) at the La Salle Retreat Centre

16 May 2025: Celebration of the feast of St John Baptist de la Salle at Stella Maris College

Message of Condolence

To the De La Salle Brothers of Malta, the educational community, and the Signum Fidei Fraternity:

Please receive our heartfelt condolences on the passing of our dear Brother Edwin Chircop. On behalf of the International Council of the Signum Fidei Fraternities and its president, we express our fraternal closeness, our prayers, and our deep gratitude for the life and dedication of Brother Edwin.

I had the honour of meeting him and sharing time with him during my recent visit to Malta, at the community of the De La Salle Brothers. We hold in our hearts his humility, his serene witness, and his spirit of service hallmarks of a true Lasallian. His life was a faithful reflection of the charism of Saint John Baptist de La Salle and an inspiration to all of us, Brothers and Laypeople alike, in our shared vocation.

We lift our prayers to the Lord whom he served so faithfully, that He may welcome Brother Edwin into His eternal peace. May his example continue to light the path of those who carry on his legacy in the schools and communities of Malta and beyond.

With faith, gratitude, and fraternity.

International Council of the Signum Fidei Fraternities

Claudio Báez Leiva, President, International Signum Fidei Fraternities

Talba għall-grazzji u l-glorifikazzjoni

ta’ Brother Louis Camilleri

Mulej, għajn ta’ kull qdusija, Int wegħdt li teżalta lill-umli u tagħmel lil dawk kollha li jgħallmu l-ġustizzja lill-kotra bħal kwiekeb fleternità; kun ġeneruż, jekk jogħġbok u gglorifika lillqaddej Tiegħek Bro Louis u agħmel li ismu jibqa’ jiddi qalb l-ismijiet tal-qaddisin Tiegħek. Ftakar f’ħajtu umli, ħabrieka, safja, u bieżla li kienet għal kollox imħeġġa biex twettaq ir-rieda Tiegħek u tħobb Lilek u lill-proxxmu kollu; kun idek miftuha u sawwab il-grazzji Tiegħek fuq l-erwieħ li qed isejħulek. Jekk jogħġbok agħmel li jum fost l -oħrajn il-Knisja Qaddisa tagħti ġieh lit-tifkira tiegħu u toffrihulna bħala xempju ta’ ħajja Nisranija; u, ukoll li tippreżentahulna bħala protettur li jaqbeż għalina u jgħinna ngħixu fil-grazzja

Tiegħek u fl-imħabba Tiegħek. Ammen.

Glorjalill-Missier...

Br Edwin Chircop

With deep sadness , we would like to share the sad news that Brother Edwin Chircop passed away suddenly this afternoon (17 June 2025) at the Stella Maris Community House, Gzira. Brother Edwin was 78 years old.

He leaves to mourn this sad loss all the De La Salle Brothers, his family, all staff members in our collegesandallourstudents.

We will all remember him as a humble and exemplary brother who lived his vocation through his great example of a hard working and completely dedicated educator. Through his humility, knowledge and spirit of service, he made a positive difference in the lives of the thousands of students hetaught andmetthroughouttheyears.

May he Rest in Peace.