Juneau residents communed at Centennial Hall on Sunday to pay tribute to a man who in life captured the minds and imaginations of those in Alaska’s capital city, and in his sudden death the attention of the nation.
The hour-long celebration of life held at Centennial Hall for late Mayor Stephen “Greg” Fisk, who passed away at his home Nov. 30, was packed with friends, family and colleagues who shared laughs and tears as those closest to Fisk offered glimpses into the man known for his big ideas and service to anyone who needed it.
“He had a certain presence … built on knowledge, experience and dignity,” Sealaska CEO Anthony Mallott said.
He called Fisk a “true partner to the Native community,” telling of how Fisk worked with Quebec’s Inuit peoples on land legislation similar to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, Mallott said. “He gave people comfort he could move them forward.”
Other speakers during Sunday’s ceremony included friends Ken Alper and Chris Knight, Juneau Mayor Mary Becker, and Fisk’s son, Ian. Friend and neighbor Claire Richardson was master of ceremony.
Alper described Fisk as someone who was passionate about small government and enjoyed learning how systems and policies work, and then how those things might be incorporated in Juneau.
When it was Ian Fisk’s turn at the podium, he spoke of his father’s penchant for big ideas, the kind of big ideas that led to Greg Fisk’s 2-1 margin of victory in October’s municipal election.
“Your dad was his own think tank,” the younger Fisk said to laughter, recalling what he had once been told.
Ian Fisk talked about his father’s many contributions to fisheries, Native communities, and his love for hockey, football and helping others. But he’ll look back on his father’s legacy in a way no one else can. “He was a great dad.”
Ian Fisk, the son of late Juneau Mayor Stephen “Greg” Fisk, talks about his father during a celebration of life held in the elder Fisk’s honor Sunday at Centennial Hall.
