Person Page - 146

     Michelle O'Neill married James Agius, son of John M. Agius and Margaret Chetcuti.
     Her married name was Agius.

     Maria Agius was born on 8 September 1954 in Mosta, Malta. She married Edwin Bonavia, son of Joseph Bonavia and Carmela (?), on 15 December 1973 at San Francisco, CA, USA.
     Her married name was Bonavia. Maria Agius was a member of the Maltese American Social Club and was In 1995, recieved contribution recognition by Maltese Club; Helped with remodel of new Club location, 1997-1999 in 1988.

     Edwin Bonavia was born on 23 September 1951 in Mosta, Malta. He married Maria Agius, daughter of John M. Agius and Margaret Chetcuti, on 15 December 1973 at San Francisco, CA, USA.
     Edwin Bonavia emigrated from Malta in 1971 to San Francisco, CA, USA. He was a Imperial Savings Bank manager in 1978. He was naturalized on 30 November 1982 at San Francisco, CA, USA. He was a member of the Maltese American Social Club and was In 1995, recieved contribution recognition by Maltese Club; Helped with remodel of new Club location, 1997-1999 in 1988.

     John Joseph Agius was born on 23 September 1958 in Mosta, Malta. He married Janet Milon on 8 October 1983.
     John Joseph Agius was naturalized on 3 January 1983 at San Francisco, CA, USA.

     Janet Milon married John Joseph Agius, son of John M. Agius and Margaret Chetcuti, on 8 October 1983.
     Her married name was Agius.

     Nazarene Felix Joseph Eric Agius was born on 28 March 1961 in Mosta, Malta. He married Crystal Morse.
     On 1982 his name was legally changed to Reno Frank Agius. Nazarene Felix Joseph Eric Agius was naturalized on 7 September 1982 at Girard St., San Francisco, CA, USA. He was living in 2024 in Fremont, CA, USA.

     Crystal Morse was born circa 1962. She married Nazarene Felix Joseph Eric Agius, son of John M. Agius and Margaret Chetcuti. Crystal Morse died on 5 March 2009 at Fremont, CA, USA; of cancer.
     Her married name was Agius.
Obituary: on 12 March 2009: Crystal Agius, 47, Passed away on March 5, 2009, at her home in Fremont, at age 47, after a courageous 3 1/2 year battle with colon cancer. Beloved wife of Reno; devoted and loving mother of Anthony (17), Victoria (13), and Emily (10); devoted daughter of Pam and Lynn Morse. Crystal will be sorely missed by her sister and brothers Amber (Roger) Lupo, John (Maria) Morse, Tim Morse and Michael (Valerie) Watson and their families, and her aunt Elaine (Bob) Fournier. Her mother-in-law Margaret Agius; and Reno's eight brothers and sisters and their families will also miss her. Crystal also leaves behind many relatives and friends. Crystal loved her children and husband above all else. She fought hard for them through her illness. Her sense of humor and love of life will live on in all who knew her. She will never be forgotten.

     Violet Mary Chetcuti was born on 21 June 1929 in Mosta, Malta. She married Frank Xavior Agius circa 1950. Violet Mary Chetcuti and Frank Xavior Agius were divorced in April 1968 at San Mateo Co., CA, USA; also Nov 1971. Violet Mary Chetcuti died on 26 September 2002 at Santa Rosa, CA, USA, at age 73; age 73.
     Violet Mary Chetcuti was also known as Violetta Chetcuti. As of circa 1950,her married name was Agius. She emigrated from Malta on 23 September 1952 to New York, NY, USA. She was naturalized on 9 February 1960.

Violet Mary Chetcuti was mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle on 1 June 2001: Santa Rosa gains another war hero By Kelly St föhn
Vioiet Agius never kept it a secret that in Malta as a child, she witnessed pain, death and hunger almost daily during World War II. But the Santa Rosa resident didn’t talk about it either. That is until a suprise gift from her son changed all that. Joe Agius of San Bruno wasn't with his mother at Christmas, but he sent a package with simple orders: Take Violet Agius' picture when she opens it. It was a framed silver medal — a replica of the George Cross, Britain's highest honor for civilian bravery - that Violet and the rest of Malta earned six decades ago. But the bubbly grandmother didn't smile and jump for joy. She ran to the bathroom. "I cried for two days," she said. "All the honor came through my mind.” Controlled by Britain and strategically located near Italy’s coast, Malta was a key Axis target, starved by a blockade and attacked almost daily by German and Italian air forces. About 14,000 bombs were dropped on the tiny island that's just over 300 square kilometers, making it one of the most heavily bombed areas during the war. In 1942, Britain's King George VI acknowledged Malta's suffering with an unprecedented gesture. He granted the George Cross medal - Britain's highest honor for civilian bravery — to every Maltese citizen living there during the war.
That's the big story the history book tells. Violetl Agius remembers the little things. As a 12-year-old girl, the English soldiers stationed at her mother's farm taught her how to defuse the small butterfly-shaped bombs that littered the Malta countryside. She used a pen point to gently wind the hands of a clock in their middle. "Even now, when I see a nun’s watch, that’s what 1 think of. It’s amazing now the mind works, she recalled. "You are a kid, and you’re learning all these things.’’ A German fighter plot swooped down over a field wiere she was walking with her mother one day. There was no shelter nearby, so they dived to the ground. A bullet grazed Volet Agius’ head, but she and her mother survived.
“We just got up and looked at each other. It was an ugly silence,’’ she said.
Agius was also with her mother when they encountered an injured German pilot who’d jettisoned from his plane. As they approached, her rrother asked him if he spoke English. In silence, he drew his pistol and shot himself in the temple. The war also thwarted Agius' schooling, and she regrets never completing high school.
But, Agius recalled, it also brought strange moments of beauty. During a nighttime backout, she heard the buzz of German planes, the sky was lit up by red parachute flares floating down to Earth. “I like to remember the day we saw the parachute flares. Malta was lit up more than the sun,^:> she said.
Agius' son, Joe Agius, 49, never served in the military, but he is fascinated by military history and wartime collectibles.
He grew up always knowing that his mother endured hardships during the war, but after he became a parent himself, he came to appreciate what she went through, he said. Then he came up with the idea ot getting the medal.
“I wanted her to understand how much trauma she’d seen in her childhood.’ he said. “People don’t say thanks to people who survived and endured as civilians.”
Among survivors, friendships endured as well. Sebastopol resident Mary Grech, 73, lived just down the street from Violet Agius' home in the Maltese town of Mosta. Agius' sister was hiding in a public shelter during one air raid that devastated a hospital nearby. She survived. Grech’s father didn’t.
“In our backyard, we had grapevines. I saw my dad trying to tie them onto the wall. Then when the air raid came, we went one way to one shelter, while he ran the other way, Grech recalled. 'That was the last thing I saw of him.”
Born Violet Chetcuti in a family of 11, Agius met her future husband at a Maltese Catholic school where both were taking music lessons. She had considered becoming a nun, but at age 21 she married a young seminary student instead.
In 1953, the couple — Violet Agius eight months pregnant — traveled by ship to San Francisco. The marriage ended in 1972, and Agius resettled in Lake Tahoe. She landed a job as a captain in a casino showroom, and later worked with celebrities such as Ann Margret, Liberace and Wayne Newton.
Three years ago, Agius moved to Santa Rosa to be closer to her grown children; besides her son, Joe Agius, she has daughters living in Healdsburg and Chico.
Since she received her son's gift, Agius has been talking about the war — and not just with her old friend Grech. She said she relates to Sen. John Kerrey's very public dialogue about his experience killing civilians during the Vietnam War. “People are coming out to show ‘don’t do wars.’ People hear him because he’s a big man,” she said. “And there’s a lot of people that say a lot of things.” “It was living in fear, all the whole five years. You never knew when you were going to get it,” Grech said. “So the ones that stayed alive, it was a miracle.”.

     Joseph J. Chetcuti married Dolores Colero.
     Joseph J. Chetcuti was had the following children: 11 children in total; including Josephine Borg, Paul Chetcuti, Sam Chetcuti, deceased.

     Dolores Colero married Joseph J. Chetcuti.
     Her married name was Chetcuti.

     Josephine L. Portelli was born on 21 July 1923 in Qormi, Malta. She married Charles George Bajada, son of Michael Bajada and Mariana Portilla, on 19 June 1948 at Qormi, Malta. Josephine L. Portelli died on 2 February 1999 at Hayward, CA, USA, at age 75.
     Her married name was Bajada. She emigrated from Malta on 27 September 1948 to New York, NY, USA. She and Charles George Bajada were listed in the 1950 US Census age 36, naval shipyard carpenter in San Francisco, CA, USA.
Obituary: on 7 February 1999: BAJADA, Josephine L. At rest on February 2. 1999 at the age of 75. Beloved wife of the late (1993) Charles Balada; loving mother and mother-in-law of Stephen and Lory Balada of Petaluma, Judy and Michael O'Keefe of San Francisco, Marlene and Daniel Orsot of Hayward, Gerard and Nancy Bajadaof Piedmont, and George and Patricia Bajada of South San Francisco; adored as Nana by 14 grandchildren. She is survived by seven sisters; one brother; and many nieces and nephews. A proud native of Malta, she lived in San Francisco for 37 years and the last 14 years in Hayward.

     Stella Maria Grech was born on 5 September 1934 in Senglea, Malta. She married Paul Renald Cilia on 18 July 1959 at Malta. Stella Maria Grech died on 5 September 2024 at Burlingame, CA, USA, at age 90.
     Her married name was Cilia. She emigrated from then San Francisco in 1961 to Detroit, MI, USA. She and Paul Renald Cilia were living in 2009 in 343 Gaven St, San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA. Stella Maria Grech and (?) Maltese Elders were living in 2024 in 343 Gaven St, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Obituary: : Stella Marie Cilia, 90 years of age, passed away peacefully, September 30, 2024 at Mills Peninsula Hospital in Burlingame, California with her family at her side. She was born on September 5, 1934 in Senglea, Malta to Joseph and Carmela Grech. Proceeded in death by her husband Paul, sister Vincenza (Mizzi), Carmena, Lolly and brother Teddy Grech. She is survived by her devoted children Grace (Penate), Joseph Cilia Caring grandmother to Jacob, Giana and Nicolas Cilia.


Stella worked as a supervisor at the Wills Tobacco Company in Valletta, Malta. She met the love of her life Paul the two married on July 18, 1959 immigrated to Detroit Michigan, then to San Francisco in 1961 and celebrated over 50 happy years together. Besides being a homemaker, Stella worked at Schlage Lock and Macy’s in San Francisco were she formed friends, many of them lifelong. To know Stella Cilia was to be a friend of Stella Cilia. She always held a constant positive attitude towards life, she loved to sing in her kitchen preparing great meals for her family, her favorite being Thanksgiving. She was a great mother and being a Nanna was her greatest joy.


Stella loved to watch the SF Giants, Forty Niners and Warriors games with her family. She enjoyed many family trips to South Lake Tahoe, Neveda and loved visiting her beloved sisters, nephews and nieces in Malta. She was from a generation that knew the hardship of war and the joy of freedom. She lived a full life and cherished her time with family and friends.


She will be missed by all and will remain in our hearts forever.

     Paul Renald Cilia was born on 11 February 1925 in Pawla, Malta; also Feb 13, 1925. He married Stella Maria Grech, daughter of Joseph Grech and Carmela (?), on 18 July 1959 at Malta. Paul Renald Cilia died on 22 July 2009 at San Francisco, CA, USA, at age 84. He was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
     He was a member of the Maltese American Social Club and was Treasurer 1979; Auditor 1968-69, 72,73-74; Grievance Com. 1980-1985 in 1960. He and Stella Maria Grech were living in 2009 in 343 Gaven St, San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.

     Maria Calleja married Anthony Falzon, son of (?) Falzon.
     Her married name was Falzon. Maria Calleja and (?) Maltese Elders were living in 2022 in 221 Somerset St, San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.

     Georgia Josephine Vella was born on 1 January 1934 in Qormi, Malta. She married Reno Chircop on 21 July 1957 at Qormi, Malta. Georgia Josephine Vella died on 4 August 2019 at South San Francisco, CA, USA, at age 85. She was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, CA, USA.
     Joseph Santos Tonna was naturalized on 21 February 1955; Declaration of Intention. Georgia Josephine Vella was naturalized in 1957. As of 1957,her married name was Chircop. As of April 2018, Georgia Josephine Vella lived at 79 Idlewood, South San Francisco, CA, USA. Research: Millbrae Mayor Wayne Lee would like to present a Commendation to Hon Consul Louis J. Vella to commemorate the award of the Republic of Malta bestowed on to Mr. Vella by the President of Malta, Her Excellency Marie Louise Coleiro Preca on December 13, 2018.

The Award is given on Republic Day in Malta which is celebrated every year on December 13th and the Award is part of the awards of Gieh Ir-Repubblika ( Honor of the Republic) and consists of a Medal that the President pinned on him on that day.

The Commendation from the Millbrae City Council will be presented on Tuesday, September 10th at the regular City Council Meeting at 6:45 pm. It is an open meeting and the general public is invited to attend. in 2019.
Obituary: : Resided in South San Francisco, CA
Georgia Josephine Chircop entered eternal life peacefully on August 4, 2019, at the age of 85. Beloved wife of the late Reno Chircop; loving mother of Rich Sam Chircop (Wendy), Joey Chircop, Dan Chircop (Tina), and Diana Reyes (Ash); caring Grandma of Rich Daniel Chircop (Shannon), Michelle Kristine Gardener (Nathan), Melissa Marie Chircop, and Great Grandma to Kylie Gardener.

     Maria Ciantar was born on 19 April 1933 in Rabat, Malta. She married John Charles Muscat, son of Vincent Muscat and Marianne Abela, circa 1955.
     Her married name was Maria C Muscat. Maria Ciantar was a member of the Maltese American Social Club and was Helped with remodel of new Maltese Club in 1960 at San Francisco, CA, USA. She was living in 2022 in Clayton, CA, USA. She and (?) Maltese Elders were living in 2024 in 269 Bigelow, Clayton, CA, USA.

     Carmen Brincat was born on 31 October 1928 in Qormi, Malta. She married Joseph Francis Mifsud, son of Spridion Mifsud and Carmen Grima. Carmen Brincat and Joseph Francis Mifsud were divorced on 8 April 1981 at San Mateo Co., CA, USA. Carmen Brincat died on 10 October 2010 at San Bruno, CA, USA, at age 81. She was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
     Her married name was Carmen Mifsud. She emigrated from Malta in 1962. She was naturalized on 14 November 1986 at San Francisco, CA, USA. She was a member of the Maltese American Social Club in 2009.
Obituary: on 12 October 2010: Carmen Mifsud A longtime resident of San Bruno, passed away on October 10, 2010 at the age of 81. She is survived by her daughters, Marlene Miller-Picchi and Jozet Vella, both of Millbrae; her grandchildren, Joseph Miller (Kathryn), Elizabeth Clements (Chris), and John Miller (Maria) and great-grandchildren; Maria Dolores, Gavin, Leah and Emily Carmela; dear sister of Doris Curmi, Jack Brincat and Lillian Hili. She was a native of Qormi, Malta and moved to this Country in 1962. Carmen was an active member of the Maltese American Social Club and the San Bruno Senior Center. She loved spending time with her family, tending to her garden, cooking, traveling around town and taking day trips.¹ Carmen Brincat was also known as Carmela Mifsud.

     Mary Carmela Mifsud was born on 31 January 1947 in Malta. She married James R. Miller on 9 January 1971 at San Mateo Co., CA, USA. Mary Carmela Mifsud married Emil Picchi.
     As of 9 January 1971,her married name was Miller. On 14 November 1986 her name was legally changed to Marlene Miller. Mary Carmela Mifsud was naturalized on 14 November 1986 at San Francisco, CA, USA. Her married name was Picchi. She was a member of the Maltese American Social Club in 1999. She and Emil Picchi were living in 1999 in Millbrae, CA, USA. Mary Carmela Mifsud was living in 2020. Research: Joe Miller
Kathryn Miller
Monica Miller
Karla Brennan
Maria Miller.

     James R. Miller was born circa 1947. He married Mary Carmela Mifsud, daughter of Joseph Francis Mifsud and Carmen Brincat, on 9 January 1971 at San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
     James R. Miller was also known as Miller-Picchi.

     Jack Brincat was born.

     Doris Brincat was born. She married (?) Curmi.
     Her married name was Curmi.

     (?) Curmi married Doris Brincat, daughter of (?) Brincat.

     Lillian Brincat was born. She married (?) Hili.
     Her married name was Hili.

     (?) Hili married Lillian Brincat, daughter of (?) Brincat.