Saskatoon writer Jordon Cooper dies at 44

Saskatoon writer and columnist Jordon Cooper has died after a nearly year-long struggle with cancer.

Cooper became a well-known commentator on city issues through his blog, started in 2001.

He later became a columnist with the StarPhoenix newspaper and appeared as a member of round-table debates on 650 CKOM. He was also known as a must-follow on Twitter for anyone interested in Saskatoon civic issues.

Following his May 2017 diagnosis with colon and liver cancer, Cooper took a short break from writing. But he returned as soon as his strength allowed, maintaining an active presence on Twitter and continuing his column in the months leading up to his death.

He wrote candidly about his cancer, but continued advocating for Saskatoon’s less fortunate throughout his fight with the disease.

Cooper was 44. He is survived by his wife Wendy and sons Mark and Oliver.

Friends have set up an online fundraiser in support of Cooper’s family.

While he never shied away from taking city council to task in his writing, several councillors took to Twitter to share fond memories once news broke of Cooper’s death.

. @JordonCooper was pretty much my gateway to @Twitter. (Did he establish the #yxecc hashtag?)

On Twitter we say goodbye.

Thank you for lighting a fire (pun intended) of compassionate, incisive urban dialogue in #yxe

You’ve made our city better. We know you will be watching.

— Charlie Clark (@charlieclarkyxe) March 27, 2018

RIP @JordonCooper – #Saskatoon has lost a voice that spoke for so many that couldn’t speak for themselves.
You were a friend to everyone and will always be remembered for your compassion, wit, and ability to bring issues back to being about the people. ….. (1)

— Darren Hill 🇨🇦 (@darrenhill1) March 27, 2018

RIP @JordonCooper. Gone far too young. Sincere condolences & prayers to Jordon’s family. #suchaloss #twitterguy #restinpeacejordon

— Bev Dubois (@BevDubois) March 27, 2018

.@JordonCooper We met in 2010 because after enough Twitter chats, it made sense to geek out IRL. Only time I’ve done that. 🙂

I’ll miss your wit, sarcasm, love for our city, political stories & dedication to helping others.

RIP, my friend. Condolences to Wendy, Mark & Oliver. https://t.co/qMcjRnvwHF

— Zach Jeffries (@ZachJeffries10) March 27, 2018