Chris Engerer, the man behind the popular beach club Paradise Exiles, has passed away.

Mr Engerer had taken over the site around 30 or 40 years ago, turning it into a bar and restaurant.

His death was announced by his son, former PL MEP Cyrus Engerer. “Everyone called him ‘the legend,’ and he was; but to us he was dad - Chris Engerer the legend nonetheless,” Cyrus Engerer said.

“He lived life entirely on his own terms, through the good times and the hard ones, never pretending to be anything other than himself.”

Chris Engerer used to call Paradise Exiles his living room, his son said. “And it really was. His chair was always there, and so was he, holding court, telling stories, welcoming (nearly) anyone who walked in (and throwing out others). These past couple of years, as that chair sat empty more often, people would still ask us where he was. That’s how much of a fixture he was at Exiles, and in all our lives.”

“Dad, the legend. He taught us resilience, and honestly, a fair bit of hard headedness alongside it. He loved us so much and he adored his friends with a huge, open heart, and that’s what we’ll carry with us. Rest in peace dad - we will always love you!”