The Sifflet family is mourning the sudden death of Xuvo carnival band’s Jahn Sifflet, remembering him as a man whose life was marked by love, humility and service to those around him.
His sister, Maier Sifflet, remembered him as someone who had done an exceptional job in every role he played.
“All I can think of is a job well done,” she said. “We have lost a good one.”
Jahn, the 51-year-old who headed Xuvo’s road management team, passed away on Sunday.
Maier, who is also Xuvo’s creative director, said Jahn was the eldest of four siblings and had been the family’s stabilising presence.
“Jahn has been the problem solver in our family life, in our business life, and everything,” she said.
She recalled the close bond shared by the siblings and their parents, saying Xuvo itself grew out of their shared love for culture and working together. Jahn’s calm and measured personality, she said, often helped keep the family grounded despite their different personalities.
Established in 2019, the band is run by the four siblings. Karim manages the accounts, while is the band leader. Xuvo celebrated a major achievement during this year’s Carnival celebrations when it was named Band of the Year.
Maier said Xuvo was deeply connected to Jahn and remained an important part of his life. Outside the band, she said, he worked as a lawyer and took “such pride in his work and what he did”.
She described her brother as one of the kindest and most humble people she had known, saying the public response following his death reflected the impression he made on others.
She said the family’s close bond, including daily conversations, jokes and updates in their family chat, has made his absence particularly painful. “We feel empty,” Maier said.
Despite their grief, she said the family intends to remain united and honour Jahn in a way that reflects the person he was.
“I know he would want us to hold it together,” she said.
The family is planning a special tribute for Jahn, with Maier saying they hope to honour him in a way they know he would have loved. His photograph has also been placed at La Place Carenage, near the courthouse, in his memory.
Maier said the family has taken comfort in knowing how deeply Jahn was loved by his relatives, friends and girlfriend.
“He was loved … by everyone,” she said.
“He has been an amazing son, brother, grandchild, friend and just truly an amazing human being.”
For the Sifflet and Xuvo families, Jahn’s has left a profound absence, but also memories of a man they say gave his best to the people and causes closest to him.
“Truly, We have lost a good one,” Maier said.
