A prominent Whitehorse businessman has died.
Chris Sorg was best known as the owner of Mac’s Fireweed Books and Murdoch’s Gems on Main Street, and that led him to be a voice for shopping in downtown Whitehorse. He died last week at the age of 68.
He had been struggling with health issues for some time, including cancer.
In addition to his many business connections, Sorg served as secretary-treasurer of the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Society, which oversees the management of the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre.
Sorg’s passing was brought up at a town council meeting recently.
Mayor Laura Cabott said a few words about Sorg at the start of Whitehorse City Council’s meeting Tuesday night.
“On a sad note, I want to share with the citizens of Whitehorse and the Yukon. I want to acknowledge the recent passing of Chris Sorg,” Cabott said.
“If you’ve ever spent time on Main Street and Dawson at a coffee shop, city council meetings, the House [of Commerce] meeting, you will have met the Chris Sorg. Chris was extremely passionate about this city. He always had advice and conveyed it in a very positive way.”
Cabott said Sorg was like the “unofficial mayor” of Whitehorse.
“[I] I really just want to acknowledge all that Chris has done for the city, for this community, for the Yukon as a whole, and offer our condolences on behalf of the City of Whitehorse to Chris’ family and friends. »
‘So warm and friendly’
Rick Karp, writer, former president of the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce and personal friend, said Sorg never put his own interests first.
“He was always there, always giving, you know he would never ask ‘What’s in it for me?’ He was always giving to others and never wanted to be in the spotlight,” Karp said, adding that he was not speaking on behalf of Sorg’s family.
Karp said he remembers how Sorg helped him choose the cover for his first book.
“I often remember walking past Mac’s Fireweed Books, and just looking in the windows and all these local authors that he supported,” Karp said.
Karp said Sorg cared about all Main Street businesses and always tried to help.
“He was always backstage and so warm and friendly,” Karp said.
“And if there were issues like parking issues, he would always suggest solutions, ways to get involved, to help. An incredible person, an absolutely incredible person and a huge loss for Whitehorse.”
Karp said that, in a way, Sorg was “way ahead of his time”, and it showed in “how he treated people, how he cared about people”.
“And it’s, you know, it’s a legacy.”
“Evil alcohol lover. Twitter junkie. Future teen idol. Reader. Food aficionado. Introvert. Coffee evangelist. Typical bacon enthusiast.”