The University of Alberta is mourning the loss of a true champion who used his keen mind and disarming charm to overcome severe physical limitations and help carry the university to the forefront of advocacy for the disabled. Gary McPherson, executive director of the Canadian Centre for Social Entrepreneurship in the Alberta School of Business and The Steadward Centre, passed on May 8. He was 63.

Born in Edson in 1947, Gary contracted polio when he was nine years old, leaving him a quadriplegic. For more than 30 years, Gary required institutionalized care. Over the years, Gary slowly weaned himself off a day-time respirator and regained partial use of his left hand and leg. At the age of 43, Gary left the hospital for good.

In 1998, Gary joined the staff at the U of A as the executive director of the Alberta School of Business’ Canadian Centre for Social Entrepreneurship—a centre with the aim of building on the foundations necessary to encourage entrepreneurial approaches to social innovation.

Mike Percy, dean of the Alberta School of Business, remembers his good friend as a great role model and colleague.

“Gary McPherson was one of the most courageous and interesting people I have ever met,” said Mike. “He overcame every hardship while maintaining a positive outlook throughout his life and an intellectual curiosity to the end.”

An avid sports enthusiast, Gary advocated tirelessly for athletes with disabilities. Gary, who occasionally lectured in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, spent more than 20 years in wheelchair sports administration, eight of which he served a president of the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association. He had served for a period as president of the Edmonton Paralympic Association and, until his death, president and chair of The Steadward Centre—the U of A’s pioneering fitness, lifestyle and research facility, serving people with disability.

In acknowledgment of his extraordinary work, Gary earned considerable recognition and several awards, including being an inductee in both the Edmonton and Alberta Sports Halls of Fame, and was named to the Order of Canada. In 1995, the U of A conferred upon him an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

In 2001, Gary wrote and published With Every Breath I Take, a book of humour, anecdotes and “practical suggestions on how we can care for ourselves.” The non-fiction hit found an instant place on the Edmonton bestseller charts and remained there for many weeks.

With his drive, wisdom and vision of the endless possibilities available for people with disabilities, Gary, who leaves behind a wife and two children, took a run at the premier’s job in 2006, a race eventually won by Ed Stelmach.

Bob Steadward, founder of the Steadward Centre, said of his long-time friend, “[Gary] pushed the University of Alberta and many communities into recognizing and understanding the needs and desires of persons with disabilities. Although he lived in an institutional environment for 34 years, his ideals and visions relate to each one of us."