;Laurence Grech (Phoo: Facbook/Andrew Azzopardi)Laurence Grech, former editor of The Sunday Times of Malta and one of the country’s most well-known journalists, has died aged 77.
Grech’s career in journalism spanned more than six decades, beginning in January 1963 when, at just 15 years old, he was interviewed for a junior reporter position by the newspaper’s owner, Mabel Strickland. He joined the newsroom under editor Tom Hedley.
He rose through the ranks to become deputy editor in 1970, and succeeded Anthony Montanaro as editor in 1991, a role he held for 16 years until his retirement in 2007. He remained involved with Allied Newspapers as editorial consultant until 2013 and later as a board director.
Throughout his career, Grech served as parliamentary editor, chief parliamentary reporter, and Malta correspondent for the Italian news agency ANSA and the German press agency DPA. In 1981, he was a fellow of the Salzburg Seminar in American Studies.
His contribution to Maltese journalism was recognised with the National Order of Merit in 2007 and the Institute of Maltese Journalists’ Gold Award in 2019.
Tributes poured forth on Sunday from colleagues who remembered him as a mentor and “living archive”. Herman Grech, editor-in-chief of Times of Malta, said: “If a debate required historical background, if a current controversy needed context, he was the natural point of reference. His knowledge of Malta’s political, social and cultural history was vast and meticulous.”
Former editor Ray Bugeja described him as “a walking encyclopaedia”, recalling car journeys that became lessons in classical music complete with opus numbers and composer histories. Steve Mallia, another former editor, noted Grech achieved a rare honour: “He was liked by everyone.”
Academics and journalists highlighted his willingness to encourage newcomers. Arnold Cassola recalled how Grech published his first article after others had ignored it: “This was Laurence Grech: humble, cultured, knowledgeable. He gave a chance to relative beginners.”
In a 2020 article, Grech wrote that his “love affair with journalism has lasted a lifetime, and is still strong today”.
Broadcaster and academic Andrew Azzopardi also paid tribute, describing Grech as a frequent guest on his programme. “Who knows how many times he came as a guest on my programme. Authentic and genuine.”
Communications academic and cartoonist Ġorġ Mallia, who drew the weekly comic strip “One Family” for The Sunday Times of Malta during Grech’s editorship, paid tribute with a sketch of his former editor. “Laurence was more than my editor… he was a mentor who also became a dear friend,” Mallia wrote.
“A gentleman. A staunch newspaper man of the old school. A journalist who went up through the ranks, learning on the job and becoming its master, training those that came after him.” Mallia recalled that in years of producing the strip, Grech refused only one, with valid reasons, and never interfered with his ideas. “He just encouraged, and published,” Mallia added.
He leaves his wife Lilian and sons Gerald, Edward and Robert. A celebration of his life will be held on Tuesday at 9.30am at the Old Church in Birkirkara.
