Appreciation: Joe Tabone

Victor Calleja writes:
I met Joe in the strangest circumstances, about two years ago, at the ungodliest hour of five in the morning. This turned out to be a most fruitful meeting and gave me just a small glimpse into a man with an enormous heart.
We were part of a biggish group going to Brussels on a fact-finding tour of the EU to learn about funding. When we met at the airport for the connecting flight to Paris, I was introduced to Joe and Mark Vella, the CEO and managing director of Halmann. I introduced myself as a journalist.
The last thing I expected at that time of day – way before bodies should be ready to face duels – was to be told by Mark that he hates all journalists. Joe sniggered rather uncomfortably.

Armed with another espresso, I challenged Mark’s words, laughing heartily at his answer, and we moved on to have the best conversation possible in those circumstances. An amazing friendship was forged – with both Mark and Joe. From a sparring, pre-dawn challenge to laughs, bonding and work.
I proceeded to get to know Joe as a man with a mission – to do everything with gusto and always with fairness. He drove all around him, near him or somehow connected to him,...