It was with great regret that we learnt the news that our dear friend, Mihai Cristea, passed away in Bucharest, Romania on August 18th 2010. Mihai was in his homeland for a routine operation, but suddenly passed away from cancer that struck silently but deadly. Words are not enough to express the sadness and hole left in the lives of those he leaves behind.
Mihai was a dear friend and fishing buddy. Mihai touched many people in his life, as he worked for the Romanian Embassy here in Canberra Australia, and made friends easily within the Diplomatic community. Not only did Mihai have many friends here in Australia, but also in other countries where he was previously based working, always, for the Romanian Government. Unfortunately, he was in Romania for an operation to try and help a previous leg injury sustained whilst serving his country, and received no compensation. These leg injuries left him almost a cripple and in pain every day-all taken in the line of duty. The deepest shame and saddest thing is, Mihai has dedicated his life to serve and work like a dog, and in his deepest hour; his moment of passing; there is no ownership or recogonition for his dedication.
His pride and joy....his family. A wife, dedicated and hardworking, Gina. Two daughters..the youngest above, Madalina, loved her father above the heavens. Madalina works in a Coffee shop. It is her wages that pay for their family. No...you heard me right. These employees of Romanian Government in overseas missions, rely on their children for money to survive...the basics....groceries only. Not only is there something seriously wrong here, but if you work for the government, dont you want a wage? We might mention the government later.....
Madalina, is typical teenager living in a wonderful place like Australia. She works hard, studies hard, loves her family and is focussed in what she wants. Shame she is supporting her family at an age that she cant even vote.
But being so dedicated to her father...she tries to understand his passions and interests and stories. She has been hit hard. Madalina had to collect her older sister who is studying in another city, when hearing the news that their father had past away. They needed to be together at this time of mourning.
Corina, his eldest, heartbroken as well. The greatest injustice was that this man who had dedicated his life to the Romanian Foreign Ministry (MAE) for most of his life, was left down at the end. Mihai's wife, Gina, some how found a flight to Bucharest to return to her husband, that she left only hours previously to return to her daughters. Less than 24 hours later, the phone call that put her on a plane to return to bury her husband, left her daughters alone. The daughters were not present at the burial of their beloved father in Bucharest. The Romanian Government so fraught with corruption and self-serving officials overseas didnt dedicate a dollar to honour one of their own workers. The Ambassador here in Canberra, a man of highliving and own self-importance, wants to keep his dollars in his pocket. Sadly, it is at this point, that this information has to come to light. Forgive the outburst of emotion and information, but there is a much more sinister picture left behind. This picture is one that is being replicated around the world, the story shared by others. But, this is our story. We lost our Friend....and a Family lost their father.
Enjoy the Fishing my friend....but keep the best place for me....George
