WHEN Lewis Flood died on February 15 his family lost a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather while the northern suburbs lost a community-minded man who always championed their causes.
The Merriwa resident also had a knack of enjoying a laugh and having fun while making his family feel safe and being a loyal advocate for the community.
At his funeral his daughter Rebecca Gillman talked about his unconditional love and his laugh.
She said as a little girl she remembered her dad just always being ‘there’ – he was present.
“For me I remember always having pride of place sitting on dad’s lap, no matter where he was sitting,’’ she said.
“For the boys, I remember him being there at football matches as a sponsor and manager and of course a supporter.
“Together with mum, dad openly welcomed our friends into the home, embracing them with open arms providing a safe and welcoming environment.
“He made our home a safe haven to grow up in.
“He loved to share stories of his own youth like hitchhiking adventures to Coolangatta of firecracker mishaps.
“Of course he had many dad jokes that would end with a laugh, that unmistakable, full bellied, infectious laugh.
“Dad continued to show unconditional love through his cherished role of Pa to his grandchildren and great grandchildren, where he was just as attentive, present, understanding and committed.
“The only thing bigger than dad’s laugh was his heart.’’
Central-West ward councillor Nat Sangalli said through his community advocacy he was a regular visitor to Parliament and enjoyed assisting his friend and Butler MLA John Quigley in his campaigns.
Cr Sangalli said Lewis was elected to the City of Wanneroo in October 2017 and served until October last year.
Rebecca Gillman pictured here with her parents Evie and Lewis Flood says the only thing bigger than her dad’s laugh was his heart.“Lewis was not afraid of working hard, spending hours of his time getting to know the community, volunteering for groups such as Keep Australia Beautiful and RoadWise Driver Reviver,’’ she said.
“He would be the first to volunteer for local park and beach clean-ups, sausage sizzles and Poppy appeals for the local RSL to name a few.
“In his time as a councillor, he was on a wide range of committees and groups covering environment, road and community safety, multicultural, disability, cycling and supported many, many more sporting and community groups.’’
Family friend Lisa Wallis said Lewis was a lovable dag, fiercely loyal and had the most joyful spirit of anyone she had ever known.
“He made the shittiest of jobs fun, and his infectious laugh still rings in my ears,’’ she said.
“He decided that Quinns needed an ocean pool, and I’m going to get a bit controversial here…he was right.
“Thousands of signatures say that plenty of us agreed with him.
“From that point on he became a local legend.
“Day after day he sat, all day, for months (turning into years) in all weather extremes, at every single shopping centre from Clarkson to Two Rocks, collecting signatures for a petition for the pool.
“As time went on, during his shopping centre stakeouts he spoke to hundreds of locals and found dozens of issues that needed addressing and the number of petitions he had going kept growing.’’
She said they had so much fun during his campaigns because what you saw was what you got.
“There was no pretence to him,’’ she said.
“He loved wobble boarding and needed no excuse to get out there early in the morning and wave and smile at the people driving past – and he laughed even louder at anyone who gave him the middle finger.
“He was at every community meeting, local residents groups, seniors, sporting and support groups.
“He could make any one of those meetings go twice as long as they should have, running off on a cheerful tangent, often to the utter confusion of everyone around him.
One friend described Lewis Flood of Merriwa as fiercely loyal and with the most joyful spirit of anyone she had ever known.“He worked so hard every single day to get elected (to council) and other than his kids and grandchildren, it was one of the proudest achievements of his life.
“He beamed with pride and took his job seriously.
“He loved his community and would do anything for the locals.
“It’s been wonderful hearing from the many people who have come forward with stories about him helping.
“Going above and beyond, even if it was stopping for a cuppa or a beer, a chat and of course a laugh.
“He worked hard on council and always stood up for the locals in his own very Lewis way.
“Anyone who knew Lewis, knew of his love of community…and his capacity to drive you nuts, but I don’t think anyone realised how utterly selfless he was.
“He’ll be up there driving everyone crazy…and making them laugh at the same time.’’
At a City of Wanneroo meeting on Tuesday, March 15 Northern Beaches Cycling Club president Dr Chris Howard said Lewis was ever supportive of and enthusiastic about all things cycling.
“In particular he helped influence the design of Splendid Park ensuring that there was ready and easy access for people with disabilities,’’ he said.
“He was really big on that point and that’s been incorporated into the design.’’
At the same meeting Mayor Tracey Roberts read out a note from Lewis’ wife Evie.
The note said: “My family and I would like to thank those of you who attended Lewis’ funeral and sent condolences. To Lewis it was never about politics it was about being a spokesman for a community he truly cared about and again thank you to those who supported him.”
Lewis is survived by his wife Evie, his children David, Craig, Scott, Dwayne and Rebecca, his grandchildren Taylah, Keely, Matilda, Aella and Jed and his great grandchildren Jaxon, Skylah, Saylem and Delylah.
