Tributes for master tiler
ONE of Cairns’ most prominent business figures is being remembered for his generosity and community spirit after recently passing away peacefully.
Loui Majer, famously known as the founder of former Cairns business Majer Tiles, died on January 17, aged 85.
Mr Majer was regarded as a leader in the tile industry before he sold the business to Beaumont Tiles in 2013, but for many Cairns residents, he was “that generous man who always had time for the community”.
His inspirational journey began in Slovenia, when during the war as a 21-year-old, he escaped to Australia, arriving in Cairns in March 1957, where an Italian builder hired him from the immigration centre as a bricklayer.
Twelve months later he had his own business, and in 1967, he opened the first Majer Tiles shop in Cairns, growing to 15 locations across Queensland.
Wife Maureen Majer said her husband was considered a pioneer in the tiling industry.
“He loved everything about it, he was energetic, he was all over the new trends and he thrived on providing people with what they wanted.”
Having grown up in a wartorn country, Mr Majer also thrived on providing for the community, what he didn’t have at home.
“He was a major sponsor of Brothers Rugby League for many years, that was a long, happy association, but he also sponsored a lot of junior sport,” son Tony Majer said.
Mr Majer moved to Brisbane about 30 years ago, but Tony said he would always consider the Far North as home.
“He loved the lifestyle, he loved the FNQ brews, he loved everything about it.”