Chris Sorensen has sadly passed away at the age of 65. The Jacksonville firefighter is best known for co-founding Firehouse Subs with his brother Robin. Between them, the brothers helped build the sub chain up before ultimately selling it for $1 billion in 2021.
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Following Chris' death, Craig O'Neal, a former photographer for Firehouse Subs, paid tribute with a post on Instagram.
"I'm saddened by the passing of Chris Sorensen, co-founder of Firehouse Subs, and grateful for the privilege of knowing him," O'Neal wrote. "During my years as the photographer for Firehouse Subs, I had the honor of photographing Chris and members of the Sorenson family many times. He welcomed me with kindness and was always down to earth, funny, and genuine."
O'Neal continued by sharing one of his most treasured memories with Chris.
"One memory I'll especially treasure is from the last year he and his brother Robin owned the company. Chris had taken up bird photography and would call from time to time for advice on photographing the birds near his home. As a nature photographer, I was happy to share whatever I could. His calls meant a great deal to me, and I felt honored that he reached out."
Social Media Reacts to the Death of Chris Sorensen
Shortly after Chris Sorensen's death became public knowledge, social media began to pay tribute.
"An absolute legend," one user wrote of Chris on X. "My deepest sympathies to the entire Sorenson family."
"So sad to hear about Chris Sorenson's passing. His contributions to the community and the legacy of Firehouse Subs will always be remembered," another user wrote in the comments of a post on X. "What a loss for both the firefighting community and local businesses."
"Chris Sorenson's impact on the community through Firehouse Subs is undeniable," another user wrote.
Currently, no cause of death has been made public. Furthermore, there are no details regarding any impending funeral or celebration of life. Those details will likely remain private for close friends and family.
It's clear that Jacksonville has lost a local hero. A period of mourning will undoubtedly follow.
