Laurent Cyr, lifelong Whitehorse resident, died at Copper Ridge Place on Saturday after a battle with Alzheimer’s.
He was born August 28, 1919, in Whitehorse to Antoine and Marie Cyr.
Antoine was a gold rush pioneer who piloted boats through the Whitehorse Rapids during the gold rush.
Documenting the territory’s past was a labour of love that he pursued for most of his 87 years.
“He was devoted to the Yukon,” said his son Raymond Cyr from Edmonton.
He was a lifetime member of the MacBride Museum, which he helped build, and he was a longtime secretary of the Yukon Order of Pioneers. He joined in 1958.
In 2004, Laurent was inducted into the Yukon’s Transportation Hall of Fame as Transportation Person of the year.
“Laurent Cyr developed a trucking company that was responsible for the transportation of wood, water and refuse as well as groceries and other essentials,” said former Highways and Public Works Minister Glenn Hart.
“His service to the people of the Yukon has been broad and significant.”
Laurent is survived by his own children, Terrence Cyr of Cornwall, Ontario, and Noelle Misco and Raymond Cyr, both of Edmonton.
A funeral will be held at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Whitehorse on January 6 at 2 p.m.