Maltese Immigrants to the San Francisco Bay Area

Notable Maltese Americans in the History of the San Francisco Bay Area

A selection of 225 noted Maltese Americans —

The famous, infamous, and some just interesting

A note of appreciation: This compilation below of "noted" individuals is in no way to underestimate the importance of all the persons who were the heart and soul of the Maltese community in the Bay Area. These were the men who were primarily common laborers or blue collar workers (who were often proud union members) and the women who were the homemakers and volunteers, who ensured that their children got a good meal, went to church, got a good education, spent time playing at the beach or at games, and helped them assimilate to the new American culture, whose individual stories and achievements are lost to history because that story did not end up in a newspaper article or an obituary, where those listed below were discovered by this researcher. My praise goes first of all to these individuals for creating the Maltese American community of the last 100 years. Unfortunately, the majority below are men, given the fact that obituaries rarely talked about the accomplishments of Maltese women. After 1970, there is a dramatic shift in educational achievement among the children of the first generations of the Maltese in the SF BayArea, with many of these individuals becoming college graduates and becoming employed in a wide variety of businesses and professions. This shift is evident in the list below.

This list has been enhanced by additional contributions by Mona Nicholas.

If you would like to nominate anyone for this list, please email me (charlesvella@gmail.com).

To see more about any of these individuals or the genealogy of their family, use the Search function on the main page of the Maltese American Immigration website.

Giovanni Agius (1792-1896): Earliest known Maltese in the San Francisco Bay Area; a fruit peddler in Oakland, CA, for 55 years.

Fr. Vincent Testa, S.J. (1841-1919): A Jesuit priest who taught for 20 years at Saint Ignatius College University in San Francisco.

Julian Portelli (1842- ??): The only Maltese in California to be convicted of murder of a fellow Maltese man and imprisoned at San Quentin and Folsom prisons.

Julian Portelli (1850-1927): Fought in the Spanish American War in 1898. He was a noted coin collector.

Angelo Agius (1872-1941): Owned and operated the Agius Poultry plant on Main St. in Petaluma, CA.

Sam Vella (1883-1967): Owner of Sam's Anchor Cafe in Tiburon and the Boyes Springs Resort

Francis P Grech (1884-1939): Founder and first president of the Maltese American Social Club

John Fenech (1885-1963): Delivered fruit and vegetables by horse-drawn wagon in the late 1920s and early 1930s; then opened a grocery store on the corner of Bacon and Girard streets. It's still there.

Joseph Tonna (1884-1947): Owned Melita Market (Bay View Wine and Liquor Store) on Third St.

John Fenech (1884-1963): Delivered fruit and vegetables by horse-drawn wagon in the late 1920s and early 1930s; then opened the Fenech grocery store on the corner of Bacon and Girard streets.

Lawrence Borg (1890-1954): A famous movie theater owner in the Bay Area and Salinas. He owned the Cortland Theater in San Francisco, Parkland in Berkley, and El Rey in Salinas, among many others.

Father Theophilus Cachia, OFM (1891-1959): Pastor of St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church for 30 years

Moses Fenech (1892-1954): Owned the Paradise Bay and Golden Sands hotels.

Alfred Schembri (1886-): Maltese Counterfeit Gang Arrested (Dec 1913): John Calleja, Frank Aquilina, Alfred Schembri, Joseph Agius, & Paul Borg. Gang of 5 Maltese men arrested by Secret Service agents on charges of conspiracy to counterfeit. Caught in shack with a counterfeiting plant with lots of counterfeit coins present. Lots of Maltese friends attended the trials. All pleaded not guilty at first, but then Aquilina, Agius, & Schembri pleaded guilty. Schembri was sentenced to 6 months in jail. Calleja and Borg went on to a 2nd trial. None are in the 1920 US census, implying they were deported.

John Abela (1887-1969): Owned a grocery store.

Paul Abela (1893-1970): Owned Pauls' Barber Shop on Oakdale Ave.

Joseph Sammut (1893-1950): First owner of Artichoke Joe's, originating in 1916 as "Joe's Pool Parlor". Many SF Chronicle articles from 1937 to 1949 track his bookmaking career and legal troubles. Sentenced to San Quentin Federal Prison for tax evasion and perjury and then deported to Malta.

Frank Pacifico Grech (1893-1968) and son Paul Joseph Grech (1925-2000): Owned and ran the Sacramento Livestock Co from 1927 to 1965. Paul also played for the Clyde Mitchell Orchestra for thirty-five years.

Joseph Tonna (1894-1970): Was arrested in 1925 after selling a gallon of moonshine whiskey to a woman prohibition agent. His car held another 15 gallons. He later became a liquor dealer.

John Camilleri (1895-1961): Owned a bar on Silver Ave in the 1940s

Angelo Callejo (1895-1974): A veteran of the turbulent times of labor organization in San Francisco; Well remembered in the offices of International Longshoremen and Warehouseman's Union 6 of San Francisco as a militant activist during the unionization of the Sea Island Sugar warehouse and refinery, from 1934 to 1937.

Joseph C. Muscat (1896-1941): Owned a grocery (retail meat) store.

James Muscat (1897-1982) and son James Joseph Muscat, Jr (1930-2008): Owners of Muscat Grocery store (San Bruno Market) on San Bruno Ave from 1950s to 1989.

George Galea (1898-1982): Owned and bartended a pool hall across the street from Artichoke Joe's pool hall in San Bruno. Both establishments were raided in 1937 and both men were charged with felony bookmaking. He owned Rancho San Miguel in Santa Rosa. He bred racehorses and rented out space in his stable to other thoroughbred owners. Some of the people who rented stable space from him included Hollywood actors, Fred McMurray and George Brent. He lost his racing license for a period in 1946. His racehorses were listed in the Chronicle 132+ times until the late 1970s.

Joseph C. Vassallo (1898-1982): Owned Vassallo & Co. on Bayshore Blvd, building materials, with his brother Bertu Vassallo..

Rafael Borg (1899-1961): Owned Borg Auto Court on Bayshore Blvd.

Noah Josephus Vella (1900-1977): Starting out as a crew member on the San Francisco ferries before the Golden Gate and Bay Bridges were built, he worked his way up to a ferryboat officer. When the bridges were built and the ferries became obsolete, Noah went to work for the US Navy as a civilian. He worked in the Navy's Radiation Laboratory, which at one point took him to the South Pacific to participate in nuclear bomb tests. In the 1960s, he was back at the Radiation Lab in Pleasanton, testing the effects of radiation on different materials and animals.

Joseph Vella and John Spiteri: In 1920, they were arrested for disturbing the peace and possibly stealing a policewoman's badge and a diamond ring at a dance event.

Charles Grima (1902-1986): Served as sexton at St. Paul of the Shipwreck for 20 years and All Hallows Church for 30 years.

Anthony Dominic Bajada (1902 –2000): a Maltese born inventor known for creating and patenting the "stay tab" press-to-open lid mechanism for drink cans. In the mid-1950s, Anthony invented the mechanism for opening canned containers with a "press-it" type closure that pushed inwardly into the can to permit the contents to be poured. Prior to Bajada’s invention, it was necessary to either use a can opener or to use a pull tab mechanism. In 1956, Anthony filed for a patent titled "Lid closure for can containers," which was granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office as No. 2,842,295 in 1958. Within two months of Bajada's patent expiring, inventor Ermal C. Fraze and the Reynolds Metals Company filed patents on designs for a “pull tab" mechanism for soda cans and a number of companies began making lid mechanisms based on Bajada’s design. He lived in San Francisco and Menlo Park.

George Aquilina (1903-1984): Owned New Method Bakery and gas station on Third and Revere St. in the Bayview. They delivered bread to your home.

Thomas Charles Fenech (1903-1986) and Joseph Tonna, Jr (1908-1996): Owners of Melita Furniture store on San Bruno Avenue in SF. 1942-1954 Advertisement = Tonna & Fenech Furniture Co. 2555 San Bruno Ave; Many years later they each opened their separate stores (Joe at Melita Furniture; Tom at Fenech Furniture; both on San Bruno Ave.); they were in the furniture business for more than 50 years. They were two of four Maltese men who started out as upholsterers and then eventually opened their own furniture stores.

Frank Cilia (1904-1991): Owner of Myrtle Bakery on Haight St.

Dr. Paul N. Zammit, PhD, O.P. (1904-1995): A Dominican priest with four Doctorates (in theology, philosophy, ethics, & economics), who taught at St. Alberts in Oakland.

Rev. Joseph M. Agius (1905-1989): A Dominican priest and former Provincial of the Western Dominican Province

James Calleja (1906-1976) and Charles Sherry (Scerri) (1909-1980): Co-owners of Calleja Furniture store on 1667 Revere at Third Street in the Bayview. Charlie later had his own furniture store on lower Market St.

James Maria Mifsud (1906-1992): Owned Jim's Barber Shop on San Bruno and Silver Ave.

Samuel Vella (1911-1990): Owned Vella Service Station at Third and Jerrold

Anthony Grech (1908-1957): Owner of Tony's Club/Tony's Slot Machine Bar in Stateline, NV. A well-known gambler and bookie.

Mary Camilleri Borg (1908-2004): nominated 3 times as finalist for Outstanding Volunteer of the Year and was awarded the Outstanding Volunteer of The Year In 2003 at the age of 94 for the San Carlos Senior Center. She was also recognized by the California Legislature and the County of San Mateo for 20 yrs of longstanding dedication as a member of RSVP of San Mateo County, as well as the Outstanding Volunteer award from Maltese Cross Foundation in 2003.

Mary Delores Camilleri Borg (1908-1996): She and her husband Joseph co-owned the little corner Fairfax grocery store at Hunters Point for 28 years. Sadly, she was murdered in a robbery attempt.

Joseph Cauchi (1910-1992): Owned a furrier store.

Emmanuel Vella (1913-1994): Established Vella & Skinner Silversmiths in S.F. from 1945 until 1984.

Thomas Aquilina (1913-1983): Dean of theatrical equipment movers, known by stage artists and producers internationally; touring companies from all over the world invariably requested that he supervise their loading and unloading tasks, especially of musical instruments, including the SF Opera and SF Symphony.

Anthony Zammit (1915-2004): California Soccer Association Hall of Fame 1978 Inductee: Tony Zammit

Paul Charles Fenech (1916-2005): owned a grocery store in San Francisco; and the Cattlemen's Saloon and Restaurant in Butcher Town with his brother Samuel J. Fenech (1917-2001) (see next)

Samuel J Fenech (1917-2001): Son of John Fenech above: The only known Maltese American to play Professional Minor League baseball, as a catcher from 1941-1942 and 1944-1945. He played for the Oakland Oaks of the Pacific Coast League, AA level. Owned the Cattleman's Saloon and Restaurant in Butcher Town, with brother Paul.

Joseph Sammut, Jr (1917-2006): The second "Artichoke" Joe, took over his father's pool hall and turned it into Artichoke Joe's Casino, a 50-table poker room, bar, and restaurant. It is the largest employer in San Bruno. He also created and ran the Poker Palace in Carson City, NV for the last 25 years of his life. There were 20 SF Chronicle articles about his legal entanglements.

Father Benvenute "Benny" Bavero, OFM (1919-2007): While not Maltese, a dedicated servant of the Maltese Community for 30 years as 3rd pastor of St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church. Moved the Church to its current location and conceived and created the new St. Paul of the Shipwreck Elementary School.

Joseph Vincent Schembri (1920-2012): A private in the US Army in WWII who was the recipient of 3 Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star. It should be noted that there were 234 Maltese American men who served in the military in WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Most made it home, a few, like Sgt. John J Agius (1908-1944), were killed in action.

Alexander Frendo (1920-1994): Former tenant commissioner of So. San Francisco Housing Authority.

Lawrence Grech (1920-1998): A Master Ships Chandler (ship supplies) for over 50 years, involved with the historic preservation of the ships of the Calif. Maritime Museum of S F.

Hon. Charles Joseph Vassallo (1921-2009): Honorary Consul General of Malta for 43 years. A recipient of Maltese Cross Foundation Award in 2001. He started as an upholsterer, then a real estate agent. He lobbied and got Malta and Valletta streets named in San Francisco.

Joseph Anthony Azzopardi (1921-1987) and Salvador J. Azzopardi (1910-1996): Owners of the Marsh Manor Market in Redwood City. Joseph also owned the Mary Manor Market in Sunnyvale and was a former president of the Northern California Grocers Association and the California Grocers Association.

George Charles Debono, Sr (1922-1997): Daly City Fire Dept. fireman

George Salvatore Fenech (1922-2012) and wife Ruth Camilleri (1923-2014): Owners of ABC Upholstery, San Bruno,

Joseph Spiteri (1923-2010): Founder and President of SP-Teri, Inc., a world-famous skating shoe company. Made shoes for many Olympic contenders. His wife Carmen, daughter Tessie, and son George worked with him.

Anthony Spiteri (1924-2014): Anthony held the most offices at the Maltese American Club offices over 24 years, including among others, Vice President for 3 years and President for 10 years between 1957 and 1978, achieving "Honorary President". He was head barber at the naval shipyard at Treasure Island for 26 years. Based on his 54-year history with the MASC, he wrote a detailed history of the MASC for its 75th Anniversary. This document is now the only known historical document that survives in the early history of the club.

Dr. Walter Francis Vella, PhD (1924-1981): Noted international scholar on the country of Thailand. He was a Professor at the University of Hawaii. He wrote several books on Thailand and Southeast Asia.

A 32-year-old Maltese American seaman died of a heroin overdose in 1956.

Frances Sant Cairns (1925-2021): one of the first female Sheriffs Dept. officers in San Francisco; worked for 28 years.

Paul F. Falzon (1925- 2009) and James Attard (1912-1980) were arrested for running a bookmaking operation in 1951.

James L Agius (1925-2010) and brother Francis Agius (1928-2008): Owned a grocery store and bar next door on Bodega Ave. in Petaluma from 1954-1992.

Francis G. Azzopardi (1927-): Owner of South City Lumber & Supply in South San Francisco

James Attard (1928-2018): Owner of Attard Upholstery, 1966-2007; Taken over by his son James Attard.

Elizabeth Vella Garvey, MSW (1928-2003): Founder and director for 23 years of the Diamond St. Senior Center, a multipurpose senior center, offering outreach services, education and recreational programs, health screenings, counseling, tax and renter assistance. Earlier she served as a Director of the Saint Philip’s and Corpus Christi’s Senior Citizen weekly programs as a respected instructor on aging for the San Francisco Community College District. On January 31, 2003, the Golden Gate Senior Services honored Betty by renaming the Diamond Senior Center as the Betty Garvey Diamond Senior Center. She was presented a proclamation signed by the Secretary of State, Kevin Shelley; and honored by Mayor Willie Brown. Jr: declaring January 31st as Betty Garvey Day in San Francisco, as well as a declaration presented by Carole Migden. from the Board of Equalization declaring January 31st as Betty Garvey Day in the State of California. She competed in the discus competition in the senior Olympics.

Jane Abela (1929-2016): Volunteered her time five days a week at the Senior Citizens’ Center in Benicia for many years, helping with the Benicia Community Action Council Senior Meals program. She received awards from the city of Benicia and from the Maltese Cross Foundation in 2002.

Stella Aquilina DeCesare (1928-2021): Recipient of the 201 Maltese Cross Foundation award; she volunteered her time and efforts for over 28 years of service (well over 5,000 hours) to SSF Kaiser hospital as a volunteer patient assistant. She would spend endless hours knitting blankets, scarves, slippers and hats.

Grace Frendo Allen (1928-2007): A senior executive of Macy’s for 37 years. Was a longtime volunteer for the F.I.S.H. food donation organization.

Joseph Abela (1928-): Owner of the Merced Heights Market.

John M. Sant (1928-2020): He was a Captain of the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge toll-takers and was in charge of events when the bridge collapsed during the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. He went on to become President of the St. Elizabeth's Maltese organization until his death.

John F. Darmanin, Sr (1930-2008) and his wife Doris Caruana (1926-2013): Owners of "The Little Isle" restaurant in the Bayview District and later "The Valletta Restaurant" in the Portola District. Known for his pastizzi.

Emidio Joseph Fenech (1930-1992): Was selected for the US Olympic Soccer Team until it was discovered he was not a US citizen.

Charles James Galea (1930-2009): Like his father George, he was an owner and breeder of thoroughbred horses in Santa Rosa and owned The Cocktail Club on San Mateo Avenue in San Bruno.

John Joseph Schembri (1931-2008): An electrical engineer with AT&T for over 30 years. He was a pioneer in fiber optic technology and was granted 5 patents in this field.

Raymond Alexander Debono (1931-2000): SF Park & Rec swim instructor and swim coach for SF Marionettes for over 20 years.

Emanuel David Aquilina (1931-2014): 23-year career with Southern Pacific Railroad, Bayshore Yards, and with the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) District, Hayward Yards, for 15 years. He was one the many Maltese men who helped build the new St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church.

Joseph Micallef (1932-2022): A machinist who built SF Cable Cars; One of the original members of Maltese Historical Society.

Robert Lewis Bonnici, MA (1932-2020): Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of San Francisco in 1954. He also received his Masters in Public Administration from Golden Gate University in 1969. He was Chief of the Compliance Division of the Franchise Tax Board until 1992, after 33 years of state service.

Anthony Bartolo (1933-2010): a train mechanic for the Canadian National Railroad and Southern Pacific

Barbara Fenech (1933-): She worked for her father at the Melita Furniture Store on San Bruno Ave. An original member of the Maltese Historical Society and the Portola Neighborhood Association. A treasured historian of the Portola district.

Max Joseph Vella (1934-2017): Industrial Arts teacher at Mission High School for 30 years

Fr. David Farrugia, OP (1934-2025): A beloved Dominican priest who served in many ministries in CA for more than 50 years.

Two Maltese American brothers, ages 24 and 22, were indicted for burglarizing drugstores to steal and sell drugs in 1958.

Louis S. Pace, Sr (1935-2008): Founder and owner of Pace Machine Products in San Carlos for 34 years.

Marian Schembri Brausser (1935-2012): A librarian and accountant. A member of the National Association of Astrologers. A pioneer in computer sciences and an astrologist sought after for her chart interpretations,

Fr. James J. Mifsud, S.M., (1935-2010), son of James Mifsud (above) a charismatic Marianist priest, known as "Father Jim" and for his passionate sermons. He was a high school teacher, a missionary to Korea for 13 years, founded the Ascent Employment Program in 1985 and was Pastor of Queen of Apostles Church in San Jose for 18 years. Much of his ministry was to the poor, the sick and those imprisoned.

Paul Phillip Micallef, MA (1935-2010): Taught high school for 31 yrs. in the S. F. Unified School Dist. ending his career counseling and teaching English at the School of the Arts.

John J. Sherry (1935-): Organizer of professional and youth soccer teams in San Francisco. Owned Sherry’s Broadway Camera in Millbrae. President of Maltese American Family Club in 1975..

Andrew D. Sammut (1936-): Claimed he was bitten by a gorilla owned by the SF Zoo. Zoo denied it.

Dolores Bajada Coffen-Herrara (1936-): A model train enthusiast for the last 15 years and involved in several toy train clubs. She has her "G" scale train layout in her back yard. She has also volunteered at Community Hospice House for 15 years. She is 86 years old.

Joseph Tanti (1937-): was the most frequently elected President of Maltese American Social Club, for 11 terms spanning 1971 and 2013.

Anthony Sammut (1937-) and Alfred Sammut (1939-): Major land developers in Salinas CA. Tony and Al formed Sammut Development, which first owned First Laurel Inn Motel, then developed the Westridge Center, Cypress Center and Boronda Crossing center.

Nicholas Cauchi (1937-) From 1955 to 1965, he was a well known drag car racer in the Bay Area, building 4 drag racing cars and a speed boat. He won a Northern California racing championship in 1963. One of his self built cars could speed at 160 mph.

Amante Joseph Borg (1938-2015): Monte owned and ran the A&C Auto Clinic for over 35 years.

John Robert Vella (1938-1989): He was the only Maltese American who was a graduate of Harvard University. He was a vice president and head of international securities for the Bank of America.

Robert Victor Frendo (1939-2004): After owning several small businesses, he spent the last ten years of his life working as a coroner investigator for the Solano County Coroner's office.

Joseph Emmanuel Borg (1939-2012): A San Francisco policeman who was eventually ordained a Catholic Deacon in 1990 and served in several parishes throughout the San Francisco Archdiocese.

Alfred Attard (1940-2021): Owner of Attard Distributing, a floor covering business. Business taken over by his 3 children.

Susan (1940-), Janice (1945-), and Paul (1953-) Mifsud, children of Paul Richard Mifsud, were all teachers in the SFUSD for decades.

Cdr Fred A. Aquilina, USNR (Ret) (1941-): Served in the Navy from 1963 to 1990. A member of MHS.

Thomas Coster (1941- ): A son of Maltese parents; an American keyboardist and composer. Keyboard player with Santana, and The Loading Zone, Gábor Szabó, Carlos Santana, Billy Cobham, Third Eye Blind, Coryell/Coster/Smith, Claudio Baglioni, Stu Hamm, Boz Scaggs, Zucchero and Bobby Holiday, Joe Satriani, Frank Gambale, and Vital Information.

Frank J. Falzon (1942-): Legendary San Francisco Homicide Inspector: He was a highly decorated police homicide inspector who investigated more than 300 murders and other cases during his 28-year career with the San Francisco Police Department, 22 of them in the homicide detail. He played a key role in breaking the notorious Night Stalker case, investigated his childhood friend and former fellow cop, Dan White, for the murders of San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk; participated in the Zodiac, Zebra, and Juan Corona serial murder investigations, and other high-profile cases. He was a recipient of the San Francisco Police Department’s highest honor, the Gold Medal of Valor. He is the most newspaper-cited Maltese American in San Francisco history with at least 234 SF Chronicle crime articles mentioning his investigations.

Paul E. Grech (1943-): Owner of Allied Engine Auto Repair

Dennis John Sammut (1943-2020): Third generation owner of Artichoke Joe's Casino. Recipient of Maltese Cross Foundation award. The Casino is currently the largest employer in the City of San Bruno. Noted for his successful political fight to try to stop BART from annexing his Casino's parking lot.

Dr. Eugene James Muscat, EdD (1944-2010): a noted USF professor of Business

Dr. Charles J Vella, PhD (1944-): The compiler of this Maltese Immigration database and genealogy website and author of an ongoing History of the Maltese in the Bay Area. A clinical neuropsychologist and psychotherapist who worked for 35 years in the Dept. of Psychiatry, Kaiser Hospital as Chief Psychologist and Founder & Director of the Neuropsychology Service; First Secretary of the Maltese Historical Society. He runs the Human Evolution Interest Group of OLLI at SFSU. He is a genealogist, and a Halloween pumpkin carver. Daughters: Dr. Lea Vella, PhD and Dr. Maya Vella, MD.

Joseph Tonna (1945-2007): San Francisco Deputy Sheriff

Francis Elias Axiaq (1945-): Coached the Maltese Falcons Soccer Club

Gary Charles Yates (1946-2010): The former Mayor of San Mateo, CA; son of Carmelita Micallef

Peter Deguara (1946-): Peter's father Paul started Electrite Plating located in East Palo Alto in 1948; Peter and his 3 brothers, Jim, Charlie, and Tony, began Four-D Metal Plating, Inc. in 1973. It became one of the largest metal plating companies in the US. Peter's son Matt continues to run the company. A Maltese family business for 60+ years.

Richard Cairns (1947-): SF Police captain

Mona Vella Nicholas (1947-): First President of Maltese Historical Society; Librarian of the Maltese American Social Club; secondary school teacher and department head. She was the first woman to vote in her own name at a meeting of the MASC in the late 1980s. She and her sister Lorna Vella were the first women allowed to attend these meetings. A Councilior of the Council of Maltese Living Abroad.

Peter J Schembri (1947-): SF Fire Dept. fireman. Served in the US Army in an infantry division from 1967 to 1969 in Vietnam. During a battle, he carried an injured soldier off the battlefield, saving his life, for which he was awarded a medal for valor.

John A. Grima (1947-): At age 21, he and his car were kidnapped by a mentally ill gunman who had tried to shoot a judge and managed to help get the gunman captured by police.

Anthony J Spiteri (1947-): A San Francisco police officer

Michael Joseph Schembri (1948-): Worked sexual assault cases for San Jose police, where he spent 28 years; then became an investigator for the Santa Clara County District Attorney's office; a cold case specialist.

George Frank Spiteri (1949-): Owner of A and G skate shop that he and his son, Aaron (A and G = Aaron and George) run.

Manuel Barbara (1949-): Served as a school psychologist, then a principal, and finally a superintendent of the Oak Grove School District in San Jose. Now an advisor to the CEO of the Silicon Valley Education Foundation.

Robert Fenech (1949-): He was a San Francisco police officer for 23 years. He then started up his own business: Barbary Coast Investigations, to provide a one-stop resource for investigations.

Alfred Agius-Sinerco (1952-): A musician; composer for the Antenna Theater in Sausalito, CA

Dr. Bertil Eric Donato, MD, PhD (): Maltese Professor of Ophthalmology and Radiation Oncology and Director of the Ocular Oncology Service at the University of California, San Francisco, 2013-2018; then Senior Clinical Research Fellow, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences - University of Oxford, 2018 on. He did his undergraduate training in Malta, where he was born, and completed his post-graduate education in Glasgow. Before 2013, he was Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, where he was Director of the Ocular Oncology Service, which he established in 1993. Dr. Damato has published more than 200 peer-reviewed articles, 68 reviews, 75 book chapters and 6 books.

Michael Pace (1954-): General Manager, InterContinental Mark Hopkins Hotel

Arthur Stellini (1957-): After retiring from SF Police Dept, he became Police chief of Broadmoor Village until 2018.

Anthony J Spiteri Jr (1959-): Legal case of People vs Jones: Anthony and his wife Rosalie Spiteri gave testimony in a court case because they unknowingly rented their Daly City rental home to two men who used it for secret marijuana cultivation. There was a water leak that neighbors noted and called the Spiteris who notified the police. They discovered 3 bedrooms full of marijuana plants. The men were convicted of marijuana cultivation.

Anthony J. Camilleri, Jr (1950-): A SFPD police robbery and homicide inspector, who is repeatedly mentioned in SF Chronicle for his arrests of criminals.

Alpio Barbara (1951-): Owner of Redwood General Tire of Redwood City. He received the Maltese Cross Foundation award in 2008. He was Modern Tire Dealer's 2016 Tire Dealer of the Year.

Barbara J. Attard (1951-): A Police Accountability Specialist; former president of National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement; One of original members of the San Francisco Office of Citizen Complaints; Co-author of "Police Misconduct Complaint Investigations Manuel".

Rev. Msgr. Francis Cilia (1951-): A Catholic Monsignor; is the Vicar General of the Diocese of San Jose and Acting Parochial Administrator Pro Tempore of Santee Catholic Mission Parish.

Mary Vella Gomes (1952-): First woman elected president of the Maltese American Social Club in 2022.

Hon. Louis John Vella (1953-): He is a retired Administrative Chief and Interim Fire Commissioner of Redwood City. Since 2009, he has been the Honorary Consul General of Malta; In 2018, he received the Medal of the Republic from the President of Malta for his services towards the Republic of Malta and in 2019 he was elected Dean of the Consular Corps College. He oversees his private property investment business, consular duties and philanthropic/community work. He is involved in the Maltese Cross Foundation of California, Maltese Heritage Association, Maltese American Social Club, & Maltese Historical Society. He was the first Maltese American to be appointed as Councilior of the Council of Maltese Living Abroad.

Joseph Douglas Sammut, MBA (1953): Owner of National Taxicab Supply Company.

Christopher V. Grech (1954-): Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Dept., Deputy Director Marine Operations from 1988.

Carmen Falzon Pisani (1954-): She founded the St. Elizabeth's Church Maltese Society in 1983. She is one of the few Maltese individuals that makes and sells pastizzi, the Maltese national pastry.

Joseph Mallia (): Between 1985 and 1986, Joseph Mallia had a byline in SF Chronicle reviewing the latest news and gossip of the restaurant biz. He also published The Concierge, a monthly guide to restaurants.

Michael Anthony Cilia (1954-2017): A New York investment banker.

Mother Olympia: In 1955, head of the Franciscan Sisters of Charity of Malta who accepted the invitation to establish a foundation in America and staff the new St. Paul of the Shipwreck elementary school. Seven sisters arrived on August 11, 1956, under the leadership of Mother Olympia.

Officer David John Chetcuti (1955-1998): He was president of the Millbrae Police Officers Association. He was killed in the line of duty, protecting another officer. 3000 uniformed officers attended his funeral.

John Darmanin (1956-): Investigator-Retired Captain-Arson Task Force/SF Fire Department; Principal investigator at Falcon Investigation Services

Rose Aquilina (1958-): the first and only Maltese American woman to be a National Park Service Ranger for 30 years, beginning in 1981.

Stephen Michael Vella (1958-): A radiology technician; former Staff/Senior/Chief Therapist at Santa Rosa Radiation Oncology Center.

Ronald Mallia (1959-): Owned Excellent Automotive repair service on Valencia St. At the age of 56, he participated in the US Memory Championship in New York City. He could memorize any 52 shuffled playing cards in five minutes.

Joseph Phillip Schembri (1959-) Fremont's top real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage.

Josephine Spiteri Ghiglieri (1950-): An Avon Co. representative for 28 years and a travel agent. Director of the Catechism program at St. Elizabeth's for 35 years. Religious Director for the school and parish for several years, as well as a Lector there. Secretary and one time President of the St. Elizabeth Maltese Society, Founding member and Vice President of the Maltese Heritage Society for several year. Member of the Maltese Historical Society.

Dean P. Grech (1960-): Jazz guitarist, vocalist, and composer

Charles James Sammut (1961-): Runs the Vision Quest Ranch and Monterey Zoo in Salinas. Originally a police officer, he then started a dog kennel, and trained animals for film and TV work. The only Maltese American to run a Zoo.

Mark J. Abdilla (1961-): A professional Latin/Flamenco/Classical guitarist.

Daniel Joseph Falzon (1961-): San Francisco Police Dept. officer

Dr. Doreen Marie Grech, PhD (1961): A Biotech/Pharma business leader

Kenneth Mifsud (1961-): Assistant District Attorney, Alameda County District Attorney, Nov 1989 - Present; Branch Head of the Consumer and Environmental Protection Division

Thomas Azzopardi (c 1962-): Retired Battalion Chief, South San Francisco Fire Dept.

Joseph Anthony Sant (1963-): Concord Police Dept. Officer

Dr. Cynthia Bajada Chasan, MD (1963-): a radiation oncologist and researcher, who practices in La Jolla, CA.

Charles Joseph Schembri (1964-): Owner of Schembri Construction Company, Inc.: The Company develops aviation, education, civil infrastructure, and specialty contracting projects.

Gregory Scott Vella (1964-): Played minor league baseball in 1987 for Medicine Hat Blue Jays.

Paula Ebejer Moffitt (1964-): Owner of Prima Printing in San Carlos since 1991. Maltese Cross Foundation award recipient for her volunteer work.

Anna Marie Galea Shami (1964-2001): In 2001, her husband of 16 years, Anthony Shami, killed her and their 15- and 8-year-old daughters, and then himself, in the only mass killing involving Maltese Americans.

Joseph Sherry (1965 -): Played for the Maltese Falcons Soccer Club; California Highway Patrol, Sergeant (retired). El Dorado County Sheriff, Boat Patrol Deputy, South Lake Tahoe.

Charles Joseph Farrugia (1967-): SFFD firefighter and EMT

Michelle Attard (1967-): Attard Distributing: Wholesale Floor Covering Distributors (with brothers Al and David)

John Joseph Mifsud, JD (1968-): Alameda County District Attorney (like his brother Ken, above). Both are frequently mentioned in criminal cases noted by SF Chronicle.

Anthony John Grech (1968-): San Bruno Police Sergeant

Jane Aquilina (1968-): San Francisco born cabaret and jazz singer, now in New York.

Joseph A. Muscat, CPA (1968-): managing partner of Ernst & Young’s Redwood City office.

Dr. Joseph Cuschieri, MD, FACS (1968-): UCSF, Professor, Department of Surgery; and Trauma Medical Director at the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center; 181 peer-reviewed articles and more than 10 book chapters.

Jeffrey S. Azzopardi (1969-): South San Francisco Chief of Police Dr. Chantal A. Vella, PhD (1969-): PhD in exercise physiology; Professor, Director of the Exercise Physiology Research Laboratory, Exercise, Sport, and Health Sciences, University of Idaho

Charles Thomas (Chad) Nicholas (1972-): He was a director of technology and engineering at Yahoo. He was also a former director at Google.

Christopher Sherry (1972 -): An Eagle Scout. California Highway Patrol, Captain-Commander several Bay Area commands.

Corrine Ortega Muscat, MA (1974): co-principal at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School, Daly City

Mariah Deguara-Pagan (1975-): 25-year career at Pfizer Pharmaceutical. Senior Director, Pfizer Global Supply Portfolio Management. Mariah is a Rare Disease & Vaccine Product Portfolio Leader, currently focused on rare disease. Principal Scientist 2001 - 2006

Denise Barchas, MSN (1977-): (daughter of Mary Vella Rummelhart) – Registered nurse, UCSF Medical Center

Dr. Laura A. Lencioni, PsyD (1978-): (daughter of Teresa Spiteri) - Clinical Psychologist and Behavioral Health Manager, Dept. of Psychiatry, Kaiser Hospital, Fresno, CA; and Co-founder (with her sister Gina) of "One Box for Hope, Inc."

Michelle Magarell, JD (1978-): Lawyer; Deputy Attorney General California Department of Justice, 2020-2022; Insurance defense litigation

Christopher Mack (1979-): An executive at Sutter Health and owner of the Fortheloveofmalta Pastizzi food truck in Sacramento.

Catherine Maryann Mifsud, MA (1979-): MA in Theology; Dean of Community Life, Riordan High School

Dr. Daniel Bonnici, JD, MD (1979-): JD degree from NYU Law School; MD in Psychiatry: A psychiatrist; Veterans Hospital, LA; then Ass. Chief of Psychiatry, Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Los Angeles

Dr. Lea Vella, PhD (1980-): PhD in Clinical Psychology; Supervisor, Hospital Quality Reporting Programs, UCSF Medical Center

David James Ghiglieri (1982-): E7 Master Sargent Air Force Reservist; served in Iraq in 2006-2007; and Afghanistan in 2010; and Iraq in 2022.

Gina M. Lencioni (1980-): Elementary school teacher; co-founder (with Laura Lencioni) of "One Box for Hope, Inc." (organized to provide charity and relief to the poor, distressed and under privileged residents of rural La Concepcion, Nicaragua, by providing clothing, school supplies and building materials.)

Officer Andrew Joseph Camilleri (1984-2017): A newly graduated California Highway Patrol officer who was killed while on duty.

Dr. Marina Ellefson, PhD (1985-): (Daughter of Rita Vella) A biochemist; Associate Professor of Teaching Molecular and Cellular Biology, UC Davis

Dr. Maya Vella MD (1987-): Cardiothoracic radiologist, UCSF Medical Center; noted pumpkin carver.

Daniel Williams (1987-): (son of Denise Vella Williams) A world renowned interior car upholstery design specialist. His car builds have been named "NC Auto Interior of the Year" and won the "Stitch of Excellence Award" at the Grand National Roadster Show in 2018. Owner of DJDesigns.

Monica Porter, JD (1988-): Equal Justice Works Fellowship attorney for Disability Rights Advocates; Policy & Legal Advocacy Attorney, The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law

Jessica Leigh Scerri (1989-): CEO of Golden State Lumbar of Petaluma, CA, a three-generation family business with 6 lumberyards and 3 showrooms, and 700 employees.

Thomas J. Kelley (1990): Son of Sam Barbara, a Lowell Discovery Telescope operator at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, AZ; recently named a past-Neptune asteroid with the Maltese term for grandfather, “Nannu."

Danielle Ciappara, MA (1990- ): Digital Media Coordinator at Hawthorne Direct, a technology-based advertising agency, specializing in analytics and accountable brand campaigns for over 30 years; in New York City.

Katherine Azzopardi, LCSW (1991-): Works in Los Angeles, CA as a Licensed Clinical Social worker. She is a Program Manager for a Los Angeles non-profit community Mental Health agency serving clients on probation and parole.

Dylan M. Vassallo (1991-): Head of Engineering, Airplane software co.

Jenise Spiteri (1992-): San Francisco-born Jenise represented Malta in snowboarding in the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

Briana L. Gearheart (1994-): (Daughter of Diane Micallef) A lawyer; corporate counselor

Michaela Azzopardi, M.A. (1994-): Works in Concord, CA, as a Licensed Speech Language Pathologist.

Jacob Alan Chasan (1997-): (Son of Dr. Cynthia Bajada) He has both a BS Computer Science and BS Economics, from Duke University; He worked at Goldman Sachs as an Analyst in Investment Banking Mergers and Acquisitions for Telecom, Media and Technology and now works as an Associate at Sapphire Ventures in Menlo Park. Jake is not only accomplished in finance but also has quite a history as an app developer. He created the app for iTunes: Office Trivia Quiz at age 13 which still remains on the Top Paid Trivia App list on the Apple App Store.

Tristan Viviani (2004-): A member of the professional San Jose Earthquakes soccer team.

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The Maltese American Social Club: Founded in 1929, the MASC is the premier social club for Maltese Americans in the Bay Area. http://maltese-americanscsf.org/home.aspx

The Maltese Heritage Association: The mission of the Maltese Heritage Association is to recognize and promote the traditions and culture of the Maltese-American community in the San Francisco Bay Area. They host, participate and contribute to cultural and community events and charitable organizations in an effort to provide the San Francisco Bay Area community and beyond with a greater understanding of the contributions, history, and values of the Maltese people. It was started circa 2011 by Louis Vella, Pauline Scerri Henderson, Josephine Spiteri Ghiglieri, Elizabeth Ghiglieri, and Gina Deguara Gonzales. https://www.mhasfbayarea.org/

The Maltese Cross Foundation: Since 1984, the MCF has awarded its yearly volunteer Award to a Maltese American individual who exhibits outstanding community volunteerism and dedication to making life better, especially for those who are in need. It is considered the highest honor bestowed within the Maltese American Community in this region. Before this Award is agreed upon, the entire MCF board of directors has to unanimously agree with the recipient. http://www.maltesecrossfoundation.com/

The Maltese Historical Society: Founded in 2013 by Mona Vella Nicholas, Michael Dimech, Charles Vella, Louis Vella, & Barbara Fenech. It's mission is to perserve the history of the Maltese who immigrated to the Bay Area. It hosts annual Maltese Elder llunches at MASC. Charles Vella compiled the Maltese Immigration to the Bay Area website as part of this legacy. It is currently in the process of writing a history of the Maltese in the Bay Area, "In Their Own Words". http://maltese-americanscsf.org/docs/Maltese%20Historical%20Society%20Book%20Flyer%202023.pdf

Several Noted Maltese Americans in US History:

John Pass (Pace): Maltese American who, with John Stow, recast the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia in 1753 after it first cracked. The Liberty Bell is inscribed with their names, "Pass and Stow". See the film "National Treasure".

Michael Cassar (1836-1898): served in Union Navy during the Civil War

Orlando Emanuel Caruana (1844-1917): was a Maltese-American soldier who fought in the American Civil War in the Union Army; the only Maltese to win the Medal of Honor in the Civil War; posthumously awarded in 1890.

Joseph Matthews (1849-1912): a Malteste born American sailer with the rank of Captain of the Top In the US Navy saved the USS Constitution from sinking in Feb 1879 . He risked his life to cut the chains holding down the ship's rudder and saved the ship from sinking. For his bravery, he receives the Medal of Honor on October 18,1884 from President Chester A. Arthur. Only 618 members of the armed forces have received this award since its inception in 1863. The USS Constitution is affectionately known as "Old Ironsides." "It has the distinction of being the oldest naval warship in the world which is still functioning today. It can be found at Pier 1 in Boston. Free tours are available year-round.

Joseph Calleja (1897-1975): was a Maltese-American Hollywood actor and singer on the stage and in films, radio and television.

Judge Rosemarie Aquilina (1958-): She is best known as the judge who sentenced Larry Nassar in the USA Gymnastics sex abuse scandal, which involved Simone Biles

Gary Caruana (1958-): Sheriff of Winnebago Co., IL since 2014; with prior 26 year career with United Parcel Service (UPS) as their Corporate Investigative Security Manager

Justine Bateman (1966-) and Jason Bateman (1969 -): These siblings are Maltese on their mother's side. Jason starred or had character parts in many movies, including Juno and Horrible Bosses. Justine was on Family Ties. She is also a writer, director, and producer.

Kenneth J. Warrington, M.D. (1968-, b. Malta) a consultant and serves as Chair in the Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, with a joint appointment in the Gonda Vascular Center.

Brittany Spears (1981-): noted American singer, songwriter, and dancer; maternal great-great-grandfather was Maltese, a Portelli.

Meghan Markle (1981-): American Actress and wife of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, claims her great, great grandmother was born on Malta.

Pete Buttigieg (1982-): American politician; former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, 2020 presidential candidate, US Secretary of Transportation under President Biden

Louis Rees-Zammit (2001-): a Welsh professional America football running back for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League(NFL). He is also a former rugby union player who played his club rugby as a winger for Gloucester in the English Premiership. For Wales he scored 14 tries in 32 caps. He won the 2021 Six Nations Championship with Wales before being named in the squad for the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa later that year. In January 2024, Rees-Zammit began training in American football via the NFL's international Player Pathway Program and was signed by the Chiefs. His grandfather was born in Malta.

Erin D. Cauchi is an investigative journalist who produces stories on international issues related to national security, global conflicts, civil liberties and human rights.

Joseph A. Galea --- Third generation Maltese-American sworn in on December 12, 2023 as Mayor of the Village of Monroeville, Ohio. He has a law degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and is a practicing attorney.

Compiler: Charles J. Vella, PhD