KEY MOMENT: The late Francis Cantos (right) with Chief Minister Peter Caruana (left) and the leading Spanish diplomat dealing with Gibraltar, Bernardino Leon, pictured when the first flight came over from Madrid in December 2007.

Tributes to the late Francis Cantos, the Gibraltar Government Media Director and former Editor of this newspaper who died suddenly on Wednesday, continued to pour into our office throughout yesterday including from both local figures and the other side of the border.

 

Chief Minister Peter Caruana, the GSLP-Libs and the PDP paid tribute to Francis’ life and professional career. Condolences to the family were also expressed by well known friends of Gibraltar in Spain, the Campo MP Salvador de la Encina and PSOE senator and former Mayor of Jimena Pepe Carracao.

Speaking to the Chronicle yesterday, Mr Caruana said: “Francis’ family, friends and work colleagues are in a state of shock and great sadness. Francis was a consummate media professional.

“He has been at my side in all Gibraltar’s international political and media campaigns. The huge respect and affection with which he is held by fellow journalists around the world enabled Gibraltar to gain worldwide coverage. His death represents a great loss to Gibraltar, to the Government and to me in particular.

“Francis was also a personal friend. On behalf of the community at large and of the Government, I extend the deepest condolences to his wife Pamela, his daughters, mother and other family and friends.”

Commenting on the news Dominique Searle, Editor, said “The news has come as a great shock to all at the Chronicle, newspaper and printing works, who worked with him for many years. He was totally dedicated to his journalistic work and to playing a role in taking the project of Gibraltar forward. Our condolences go out to his family, wife Pamela and his two daughters.”

GSLP/Libs

The main Opposition party GSLP/Liberals has also expressed sadness and shock at the sudden death of Francis Cantos. 

An alliance spokesman said: “Francis was always at the very centre of political life in Gibraltar, as a journalist, first with the Gibraltar Evening Post and later with the Gibraltar Chronicle. He was later employed as Media Director with the present Government, a post he has held until now. 

“There is no doubt that during his years as a journalist Francis was able to influence events in Gibraltar, particularly when he became Editor of the Gibraltar Chronicle which was then the only daily newspaper. 

“The Opposition extends our most sincere condolences to his wife, his two daughters and to the rest of his family.”  

JUAN CARLOS PEREZ

Meanwhile former GSLP Government Minister Juan Carlos Perez, still active in the executive committee of the main opposition party commented on their lifelong friendship.

Mr Perez said: “I have been a friend of Francis Cantos since childhood, and although his job as Media Director for the GSD Government led us to clash politically, he always tried to keep that friendship alive be it through a card at Christmas or an irregular phone call about something totally removed from politics.

“Francis was generally a quiet person, preferring always to influence people and events by stirring up debate through provocative questioning, but he was more a listener than a talker although he would push his own point of view across over a brandy at a local pub and keep talking for hours on end.

“There is no doubt of the contribution he made to journalism in Gibraltar, but Francis wanted to be in a position to influence politics, particularly with regard to relations with Spain, and this is what probably led him to take sides, politically.

“I remember visiting him at St Mary’s Hospital in London with Sir Robert Peliza when he had his heart operation some years back and telling him that he should consider another job due to the stress involved. He shrugged his shoulders and smiled and said nothing. May he rest in peace.”

PDP

The PDP said they were deeply saddened to hear of the sudden death of Government Media Director Francis Cantos.

PDP Leader, Keith Azopardi said, “Francis was always a pleasure to work with in Government. As a former editor of the Chronicle and an accomplished journalist he brought huge experience and an array of international press contacts into his job as Government Media Director.

“A hive of activity and the spirit of dedication he was instrumental in obtaining positive coverage for Gibraltar internationally. He always worked hard for Gibraltar. He will be sadly missed and fondly remembered. Our thoughts are with his family, Pamela and their daughters. The PDP offer their condolences to Francis’s family.”

CAMPO PRESS ASSOCIATION

The Campo press association has also written to the Chief Minister’s Office expressing their condolences to the Gibraltar Government and to Francis’ family.

The funeral will take place today at The Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned at 2.00pm.