Person Page - 169

     Rev. Msgr Francis Vincent Cilia was born on 31 December 1952 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹ Biography Born Francis Vincent Michael George Cilia at Harbor Emergency Hospital (Kaiser). Ordained a Catholic priest since 1979. Served as deacon at Mission Delores, then Mountainview, then pastor at St. Mary's in Gilroy, CA.
     He was educated St. Robert's Elementary School
After 8th grade, St. Patrick's Seminary and St. Joseph's College in Mountainview, Cupertino. He was ordained on 19 April 1979; by Archbishop Quinn.
Rev. Msgr Francis Vincent Cilia Assignments: St. Elizabeth's Church, Milpitas for 6 years; in 1981, San Jose became a diocese; then pastor at St. Joseph in Mountainview; worked closely with Phillopino community; ran a youth group; then Pastor at St. Mary's in Gilroy for six years; then Holy Family Catholic Church (a former Jesuit church) in San Jose for 3 years; he became vicar general of the Archdiocese of San Jose; he is pastor of St. Claire Church between 1980 and 2024. Research: Dioceson priest; now Monsignor. He was a Reverend Monsignor Francis V. Cilia is the Vicar General of the Diocese of San Jose and Acting Parochial Administrator Pro Tempore of Santee Catholic Mission Parish. in 2024.

     William Farrugia married Helen (?)
     William Farrugia was had the following children: Melita Bonnici, Mary Bugeja, Dalina Farrugia, Evelyn Vassalo and Elsie Ascolese and Sr. Thomas of the Order of St. Joseph of the Apparition. He and William Farrugia were possibly the same person.

     Helen (?) married William Farrugia.
     Her married name was Farrugia.

     Mary Borg Maltese Cross Foundation Award in 2003 at San Carlos, CA, USA.

     Joseph Savior Grima was born on 13 January 1927 in Mgarr, Malta. He married Alice Ann Camilleri, daughter of Joseph J. Camilleri and Rosalia Camenzuli, on 27 June 1948 at San Francisco, CA, USA. Joseph Savior Grima died on 15 January 2011 at Redwood City, CA, USA, at age 84. He was buried in 2011 at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA; with Joseph J Camilleri.
     He was naturalized on 18 March 1947 at New York, NY, USA; by plane. He was a member of the Maltese American Social Club in 1985 at San Francisco, CA, USA.
Joseph Savior Grima Maltese Cross Foundation Award in 2007. As of 2009, Joseph Savior Grima lived at 2150 Alemeda de los Pulgas, Redwood City, CA, USA.

     Rev. Father David Farrugia OP was born in July 1934 in Vittoriosa, Malta. Biography I was born in Malta, one of the three Maltese islands situated in the middle of the Mediterranean sea. The small Maltese town where I was born is called Vittoriosa situated over the Grand harbor, a harbor of natural beauty. Vittoriosa, formerly called Birgu, is where the Great Siege of 1565 took place. It was here that the Ottoman Empire was defeated by the Knights of Malta and the Maltese.

The islands have a history that goes back to 3,000 B.C . Malta was occupied by many great powers, the last one was Britain . The British were actually called by the Maltese to drive out Napoleon and the French power, and here the Maltese islands became “protectorate” of the Empire for 120 yrs. and then in 1964 gained independence within the Commonwealth.

Malta, during world war II, was the most heavily bombed area in the world, owing to the presence of the British Fleet in the Grand Harbour. Malta was a strategic place in the Mediterranean Sea. German forces stationed in Sicily and North Africa were determined to put the Allied Forces out of action. There were days when an air raid went for hours. Germany needed Malta badly, so that it could control the Med. Sea. The people in the harbor area were told to evacuate. Many of the town people including my family took shelter in a Dominican Priory, hoping it is safer. Again we were forced to leave. That same week the Priory was leveled to the ground. Luckily nobody was there. A miracle, for there was over 300 people before it collapsed. Our house was destroyed; again we were lucky, for we were in another part of the island. We took shelter underground, where we spent most nights, sleeping on straw mattresses. Food was rationed, lot of buildings was destroyed and many people lost their lives. You could hear prayers echoing in the shelters. The Rosary was said almost all day long. Not enough food, but lots of prayers!
The village we moved to is called Mosta. Here, is the famous rotunda; the plans were based on the Pantheon, in Rome. It is the third largest unsupported dome in the world. This shrine is dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption. The priests at this parish were totally dedicated to the people of God. They were holy and friendly priests. Later, when I was a high school student, I worked as a part time custodian and also became an altar server. I can say that my vocation to the priesthood germinated in this wonderful church and environment. I together with others took shelter in the basement of the church many a night. The basement was a burial ground, so there were times when you had to make room so that someone can be buried. As soon as the burial finished, you throw a blanket over the fresh
closed grave and napped. On April 9, 1942 in the afternoon, while many people including my family were taking shelter, the news spread quickly,’ the Rotunda was hit. A large German bomb went through the dome, a four feet of lime stone, rolled over the floor of the church and came to a stop right at the sanctuary stairs. It did not explode, and the 300 people in the church, during an Adoration service, were safe and no one was injured. The same type of bomb is now on display, its 4 ft. high and 2 feet in diameter. Every year on the 9th of April a Mass of thanksgiving is celebrated.

Fuel and food for the Allied forces and for the natives was in dire need. Nothing could go out or come in. There was a time when surrender was not an option. Great Britain, on the advice of Winston Churchill tried the last resort. A convoy of 14 merchant ships was sent to Malta. The convoy was covered by aircraft carriers, battleships and the air force. This was on the 10th of August, 1942.
Prayers were ordered in all churches for Malta and England. Only three ships made it to the Grand Harbor and two others, badly damaged, remained afloat and arrived later. This happened on the 15 of August, feast of the Assumption of Mary. This event is known by the Maltese as the ‘Convoy of Santa Maria ‘. Now at least the forces had some of the much needed fuel and food.

Once, while taking shelter beneath the stairwell, a bomb fell right in the middle of the square, a huge boulder goes up in the air and came down on our skylight while we were home, and landed just in front of us. My mother, my brother and I rushed out to go to the shelter. It’s the first time that I saw the victims of war. Six people died in the square, one woman was beheaded by shrapnel. Again it was a miracle that we were not even hurt. The enemy started losing power and peace came to the Islands, and finally the surrender of the enemy. The Maltese still have great devotion toward Mary and hope in the Almighty. They still believe in these two great miracles.Fr David Image for Blog

The war over, life returned to normal. I finished elementary school, went to a Dominican college, named after St. Albert the Great and then started my novitiate and my studies for the priesthood at St. Thomas Aquinas, school of philosophy and theology. After I finished my studies I was ordained a priest in 1960 at John’s Co-Cathedral, the Conventual church of the Knights of Malta, built in 1500. (BY the way, the Dominicans arrived in Malta in 1492). After ministering for a year and a half, I was sent to minister in the USA. Here I served as campus minister at U.C. Riverside for nine years, ministered in Los Angeles, Reno, at St. Thomas Cathedral, chaplain to the Christian Brothers in Napa, St. Dominic San Francisco, associate novice master in Kentfield, pastor at Our Lady of the Mountain, Ashland, OR, Pastor at St. Dominic, Benicia and pastor at St. Mary Magdalene, Berkeley and finally after 50 yrs. of priesthood, back to Benicia in semi-retirement.

There, you have a very, very short biography of my somewhat interesting life. Here, I would like to sum up by quoting St. John Paul II, “I cannot end these reflections as a priest, without expressing to the Lord of the harvest my deepest gratitude for the gift of a vocation, for the grace of priesthood”. “God, you are great and glorious; we marvel at your power’.

God bless you and yours.
Fr. David , O.P.
     Rev. Father David Farrugia OP Maltese Cross Foundation Award in 2009 at Benecia, CA, USA.
Rev. Edwin William Farrugia OP cousins. Rev. Father David Farrugia OP and (?) Maltese Elders were living in 2024 in 475 East I St, Benicia, CA, USA.
Rev. Father David Farrugia OP a Dominican priest.

     Manuel Vassallo was born on 29 December 1929 in Mosta, Malta. He married Rose Xuereb, daughter of Lawrence Xuereb and Salvina (?), on 7 November 1953 at San Francisco, CA, USA. Manuel Vassallo died on 2 January 2020 at San Bruno, CA, USA, at age 90. He was buried on 13 January 2020 at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, CA, USA.
     Manuel Vassallo was also known as Emanuel Vassallo. He emigrated from Malta on 5 December 1952 to New York, NY, USA. He was naturalized on 8 August 1962 at San Francisco, CA, USA; a furniture maker. He was a member of the Maltese American Social Club and was Helped with remodel of new Club location, 1997-1999 in 1991. Research: Robin Spahn
Steven Spahn.

     Rose Xuereb was born on 7 August 1932 in Mellieha, Malta. She married Manuel Vassallo on 7 November 1953 at San Francisco, CA, USA.
     Rose Xuereb emigrated from Malta Greek ship Nea Hellas to New York, then San Francisco on 24 March 1952. As of 1953,her married name was Vassallo. She was a sacristan at St. Robert’s Church in San Bruno.
Maltese Cross Foundation was a member of Maltese Cross Foundation Award in 2017.

     Nancy A. Vassallo was born on 21 March 1957 in San Francisco, CA, USA.
     Nancy A. Vassallo Edwin Spahn
Steven Spahn
Robin Spahn in 2018.

     Nanette Camilleri was born. She married (?) Blum.
     Her married name was Blum.

     (?) Blum married Nanette Camilleri, daughter of Manuel George Camilleri and Caroline Garritano.

     Leslie Blum was born. She married Joseph M. Camilleri, son of Manuel George Camilleri and Caroline Garritano.
     Leslie Blum was living in 1995 in Roseville, CA, USA. Her married name was Camilleri.

     Judy (?) married Mark A. Camilleri, son of Manuel George Camilleri and Caroline Garritano.

     Peter Joseph Pignati was born on 22 April 1959 in San Francisco, CA, USA. He married Marianne T. Camilleri, daughter of Manuel George Camilleri and Caroline Garritano, circa 1984. Peter Joseph Pignati died on 11 March 2017 at Roseville, CA, USA, at age 57.
     He was had the following children: PJ, Daniel and Alyssa Pignati.
Obituary: on 18 March 2017: Peter Joseph Pignati died peacefully surrounded by his family March 11, 2017, in Roseville, California.

He was 57.

Husband of 33 years to Marianne, father of PJ, Daniel and Alyssa. Son of Art and Sylvia. Brother of Craig (Jessica) and Jeannine Mancini (Don). Son-in-law of the late Mike Camilleri. Brother-in-law of Mark and Judy Camilleri, Joe and Leslie Camilleri, Dan and the late Cheryl Camilleri, Nanette Blum, Patty Blum and the late Chris Blum. Also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and his two loving dogs.

Born in San Francisco. Raised in Millbrae. Resident of Redwood City and Roseville. A 1977 graduate of Capuchino High School, San Bruno. A hunter and avid fly fisherman. Most known for his 33 years of meticulous woodworking craftsmanship at Buckley Door and Pioneer Millwork.

Family and friends are welcome to attend a memorial funeral liturgy 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 25, at Saint Dunstan Catholic Church, 1133 Broadway, Millbrae.

Condolences please via Chapel of the Highlands, 194 Millwood Drive, Millbrae.

In lieu of flowers, his family appreciates donations to the MS Society in San Francisco at nationalmssociety.org/Chapters/CAN.
Obituary: on 19 March 2017: Peter Joseph Pignati - April 22, 1959-March 11, 2017
Peter Joseph Pignati, at the age of 57, entered into rest peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on March 11, 2017 in Roseville, CA. Beloved husband of 33
years to Marianne. Loving father of PJ, Daniel and Alyssa. Devoted son of Art and Sylvia. Dear brother of Craig (Jessica) and Jeannine Mancini (Don). Loving
son-in-law of the late Mike Camilleri. Dear brother-in-Camilleri. Dear brother-in- law of Mark and Judy Camil- len, Joe and Leslie Camilleri, Dan and the late Cheryl Camilleri, Nanette Blum, Patty Blum and the late Chris Blum. Also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and his two loving dogs.
Born in San Francisco. Raised in Millbrae. Resident of Redwood City and Roseville. A 1977 graduate of Capuchino High School, San Bruno. A hunter and avid fly fisherman. Most known for his 33 years of meticulous woodworking craftsmanship at Buckley Coor and Pioneer Millwork.

     Dante Camilleri was born. He married Cheryl (?)

     Cheryl (?) married Dante Camilleri, son of Manuel George Camilleri and Caroline Garritano. Cheryl (?) died before 2011.
     Her married name was Camilleri.

     (?) Shaul married Josephine P. Camilleri, daughter of Joseph Camilleri and Mary Galea.

     Calvin W. Deramo married Theresa Christina Camilleri, daughter of Joseph Camilleri and Mary Galea. Calvin W. Deramo and Theresa Christina Camilleri were divorced in February 1975.
     Calvin W. Deramo was also known as De Raino.

     Lloyd Herren married Mary A. Camilleri, daughter of Joseph Camilleri and Mary Galea.

     Evan S. Sprague was born on 4 April 1917 in Otto, WY, USA. He married Paulina Camilleri, daughter of Joseph Camilleri and Mary Galea. Evan S. Sprague died in 1982 at Sonoma, CA, USA.
     He and Paulina Camilleri were listed in the 1950 US Census age 33, linoleum contractor in San Francisco, WY, USA.

     (?) Miller married Alice Noel Camilleri, daughter of Joseph Camilleri and Mary Galea.

     Stefania (?) married Michael J. Attard, son of John J. Attard and Carol Ricca.
     Her married name was Attard.

     David Smith married Rosemarie Attard, daughter of John J. Attard and Carol Ricca.

     Jeff Helvig married Joanne Attard, daughter of John J. Attard and Carol Ricca.

     Alex Attard was born on 29 April 1972 in Malta.
     Alex Attard was a member of the Maltese American Social Club in 2017.

     Nadine Harper was born circa 1932. She married James Albert Vassallo, son of Joseph Carmello Vassallo and Domenica Dimech, on 1 May 1949 at San Francisco, CA, USA. Nadine Harper and James Albert Vassallo were divorced.
     Her married name was Vassallo.

     Deena Marie Vassallo was born on 30 January 1950 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA. She married Gary Hughes at Stockton, CA, USA. Deena Marie Vassallo and Gary Hughes were divorced at Stockton, CA, USA. Deena Marie Vassallo died on 15 July 2023 at age 73.
     Her married name was Hughes.

     Gary Hughes married Deena Marie Vassallo, daughter of James Albert Vassallo and Nadine Harper, at Stockton, CA, USA. Gary Hughes and Deena Marie Vassallo were divorced at Stockton, CA, USA.

     Kathleen Vassallo was born on 13 January 1951 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA. She married Steven Jonsson.
     Her married name was Jonsson.

     Steven Jonsson was born in Midland, TX, USA. He married Kathleen Vassallo, daughter of James Albert Vassallo and Nadine Harper.