Jan Flis remembered for energy, lively spirit and sense of adventure following tragic passing

A friend to all and an energetic tidal wave who brought everyone along with him for the ride, is how family and friends are remembering beloved Territorian Jan Flis, who died after a tragic motorbike crash.

A FRIEND to all and an energetic tidal wave who brought everyone in sight along with him for the ride, is how family and friends are remembering beloved Territorian Jan Flis.

Mr Flis, 71, tragically passed away on September 7 following a crash on McMillans Rd. He was born in Slovenia in 1949 and moved to Australia with his family at 13 years old. He started his own family in Adelaide before moving to Darwin in 1985.

“He came on a grand adventure with a mate, had this trip to the outback and fell in love with the place,” family members said.

“The Territory was his love that’s for sure. He absolutely loved this place.”

Mr Flis became a prolific local businessman, opening JR Lighting with a business partner in Darwin.

After tragedy forced the business to be sold, Mr Flis flung himself into a life of charity, socialising, exercise and travel. He also struck out on his own and established a successful lighting consultancy business.

Mr Flis was a frequent, happy face at charity organisation Kiwanis Club, RAAF Darwin Golf Club, Mindil Beach Casino Resort, Casuarina All Sports Club, Nightcliff Markets and Cafe 21 for “all important business meetings”.

“He loved riding his motorbike, he loved his golf, he loved his coffees and red wine and mai tai’s,” the family said. “He loved anything that involved sitting with a group of people and being surrounded by people and eating food and drinking.”

Mr Flis had a great love of gardening, turning he and his partner of more than 20 years Inge’s backyard into a stunning oasis – one that they shared with anybody who dropped in, serving up drinks and food at any excuse.

Jan was famed for being an outgoing and cheeky man, eager to make friends with anyone who crossed his path.

“He was larger than life and he had this exuberance for life,” the family said.

“He had a positivity that was infectious … he was like a tidal wave that pulled you along with him.

“It’s almost like he was three people bundled into one. He was a scuba diver. He was a golfer. He had an uncanny luck at the pokies.

“A brother and a grandfather, husband and partner. He was just so many things and he wore so many different hats.”

Jan’s family hoped the community would remember and celebrate his vibrant and inclusive personality. “He’s just the kind of guy that if he found out somebody is doing their yard or fixing their car, he’d just rock up on the doorstep and insist on helping. In lieu of flowers the family request donations to be made to Kiwanis Club.

People watch Mr Flis’s service on Friday at youtu.be/x7BmWlamooU.