Giovanni Felice

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Giovanni Felice (Sliema 21 January 1899 – Sliema 16 March 1977) was a Maltese politician. He was appointed as the Minister of Justice from 1953 to 1955, Minister of Industry and Tourism from 1962 to 1966, and Finance Minister from 1966 to 1971 in the Giorgio Borg Olivier cabinet.

He married Martez (née Dacoutros) and they had four children: Grace, Mario, Anton and Alfred.

Dr. Felice studied at the Royal University of Malta. On 4 October 1922, he graduated from there as a lawyer. He continued his studies in Criminology and International Law at Sapienza University of Rome. On his return, he practised as a lawyer for a number of years, while serving as an examiner in International Law. Dr. Felice was also President of the "Guild of Graduates" as well as the "Sliema Band Club".

In the early 1950s, Dr. Felice was invited by the Nationalist Party to enter politics. He was elected in 1953 and served as a Member of the Opposition. In 1954, following another election, he was elected and appointed as Minister of Justice. During the years that followed he was Minister of Industrial Development and Tourism as well as Minister for Finance, Customs and Port. He retired from politics in 1971.

Dr. Felice formed part of the Maltese Delegation at the "Round Table Conference" in September 1955. He was a leading figure during the crucial talks with high profile British Government Representatives at Marlborough House in London and participated actively in various other Conferences. These talks, which proved to be vital for Malta, led to Malta finally obtaining Independence on 21 September 1964. Dr. Felice, in his capacity as Governor of the Central bank of Malta, was also the first Maltese to deliver a speech in Washington on behalf of the Government of Malta. On the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Central Bank of Malta a silver coin was minted depicting Dr. Felice.

His funeral in March 1977 was attended by many of his Sliema constituents together with Members of the Nationalist Party, the Malta Labour Party and President Dr. Anton Buttigieg. He was the epitome of honesty, sincerity and loyalty to his Party. Dr Felice was mentioned by Hon. Guido de Marco in his last speech, as being a man of great culture and knowledge.