The Yukon lost another pioneer Thursday with the passing of Ed Schiffkorn

Paramedics were called to Schiffkorn's Marsh Lake residence shortly before 1 p.m. after the 72-year-old fell off a ladder while working at his home.

He died a short time later.

This morning, there was much sadness around the lakeside community where Schiffkorn and his wife, Betty, lived year-round after Ed retired from the Whitehorse Fire Department in 1998.

"He was my walking encyclopedia of fire, and Ed was very experienced when it comes to fires, and he's got a heart of gold,” said former colleague Juergen Willms, deputy chief of Marsh Lake's volunteer department and a firefighter at the Whitehorse airport.

The pair met when Schiffkorn joined the Marsh Lake Volunteer Fire Department after 25 years with the Whitehorse department. According to Willms, Schiffkorn set the emergency-response pace and was available 24/7, ready to lend a hand.

"Ed always amazed me ... he was always the first one on the scene after a call (in Marsh Lake). I don't know how he did it, but he always beat me.”

Similar stories of Schiffkorn's enthusiasm, volunteer spirit and community involvement abound.

Marsh Lake resident Donna Larsen echoed Willms' description of Ed's lightning response time to local emergencies and his heart of gold.

"If he got an extra day on this planet for all his good deeds and generosity, he would've lived forever,” Larsen said, recalling the man's community contributions.

"During the (2007) flood, Ed's house had severe water damage, but there he was, going to everybody else's homes and making sure everybody was taken care of, when his own house was flooded.

"Every day during that flood, he was out there laying sandbags, and Betty was bringing food to the crew.”

Born in Austria in 1938, Schiffkorn spent his childhood and teenage years cross-country and alpine racing in Europe before moving to the Yukon in 1959.

In 1973, Schiffkorn left his job with the Department of Highways and Public Works and joined the Whitehorse Fire Department. He continued his passion for skiing, as a racer and volunteer.

From 1959 to 1970, he raced for the Yukon Ski Team, coached the Whitehorse Alpine Ski Club from 1959 to 1975, and in 1981, took two months off from his firefighting job to organize the 1981 World Cup held in Whitehorse. Part of that role included getting the Whitehorse Ski Chalet built in time for the competition.

In 1988, Schiffkorn's was inducted into the Sport Yukon Hall of Fame. Other honours bestowed upon Schiffkorn include membership in the Yukon Order of Pioneers.

During his time with the Whitehorse Fire Department, Schiffkorn made the rank of platoon chief and became an honourary chief of the Association of Yukon Fire Chiefs, of which Schiffkorn was a founding member.

"He certainly helped guide anybody new,” said Whitehorse Fire Chief Clive Sparks, who joined the force in 1979 and cut his teeth working on Schiffkorn's platoon. "He was always willing to help and teach others everything he knew.”

"It comes as a great shock to everybody that Ed passed away. I'm going to miss him, not only as a firefighter but as a friend.”

He was also a familiar sight around the former Country House store, when his family owned it.

Schiffkorn is survived by Betty and children Michele, Carson and Tania.