Former SMS Group Chairman Neville Mifsud passed away on Saturday at the age of 82, his son and current SMS Group Managing Director Sam Mifsud announced on Monday.

Neville was responsible for the setting up of the travel and tourism area of SMS Group in the early 1960s, building on the work done by his grandfather Orazio Mifsud who had set up a ship chandler business in Valletta’s Grand Harbour, and his father Silvio Mifsud, who established a shipping agency in 1950 called Mifsud & Sons. SMS Group is now led by Sam together with his brother, Simon Mifsud.

Former SMS Group Chairman Neville Mifsud / SMS Group

Speaking to Seatrade Cruise News, Sam said that under his late father’s leadership, “SMS Group identified the necessary fields, and is considered one of Malta’s earliest pioneers for outgoing and incoming travel and tourism. His foresight saw the potential for what we have become today.”

He added that Neville was a “great man, father and leader”.

During the 1990s, the Mifsud family travelled to Florida, United States to bid for Norwegian Cruise Line. After winning the bid, SMS International Shore Operations was born in 1996, first operating turnarounds at the Port of Dover, UK. The company continued to grow, adding more services and clients, before setting up headquarters for SMS International Shore Operations in Miami, United States in 2011.

SMS Group has expanded over the years from a shipping agency to a large group of companies that employs over 500 people active in travel, tourism, shipping, insurance, logistics, ship registration and financial services, as well as general trading.

Even following his retirement as SMS Group Chairman, Neville remained an active presence in operations and provided consultancy for his sons, the Board, and the group's current Chairman and former Prime Minister of Malta Lawrence Gonzi.

“I was lucky enough to spend time with him and he was the light in the room that everyone flocked to,” said Christopher Blanchard, EVP Global Operations at SMS International Shore Operations, before adding that Neville had a “great sense of humour, and he made everyone feel special”.

In a note to employees, Sam said that it is “hard to say goodbye” to his father, someone who “impacted” their lives. “The greatest tribute we could pay to Neville is to continue to be the best shore operations company in the world by caring for our clients and each other as a family,” he added.

Apart from his sons, Neville is survived by his wife Aida, brother Adrian, six grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. His funeral mass will be held on Tuesday (today) at Tal-Ibraġ Parish Church, followed by interment at Santa Maria Addolorata Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, his family would appreciate donations to Id-Dar tal-Providenza.