ALBERT RONALD GUTHERY

15 January 1916 – 8 September 2008 (aged 92)
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​​LIFE MEMBER: INDUCTED 2001
In recognition of outstanding service to ParaFed Canterbury and founding member of the New Zealand Paraplegic & Physically Disabled Federation.

Ron was a councillor for Christchurch City Council for 22 years before being elected Mayor of Christchurch. He was a World War II veteran and he and his family were well known business operators in Christchurch.

He was a member of the New Zealand 20th Battalion during World War II. The battalion left Lyttelton on 5 January 1940 for Egypt. During the Battle of Belhamed on 1st December 1941, Ron was wounded and lost a leg.

After having lost a leg in the war, he returned to New Zealand and continued to play sports (tennis and golf).

An article in the Christchurch Press described him as a "go-getter from way back" with "a list of accomplishments that fill a book". The Guthrey family is a well-known Christchurch family, having established Guthrey Travel and Guthrey Coachlines, among other businesses.

He was recognised by Paralympics New Zealand with a PNZ Order of Merit for outstanding service to the organisation and Paralympic sport. Ron was honoured in the inaugural year for his contribution of service to the Paralympic movement, replacing his Life Membership. He was a vice president and a Foundation Representative of the Finance Committee of the New Zealand Paraplegic & Physically Disabled Federation from 1978 to 1986.

On 8 September 2008, Ron and his wife Mary died within 90 minutes of each other. Mary Guthrey had been sick for some time and died at 8:45 pm Ron died at 10:15 pm, only 5 minutes after having been told that his wife had died. Their son Peter described them as a very close couple: "They just lived for each other. Mum had a stroke some time ago and I think dad was just hanging in there for her. When she went it was like dad decided it was time to go too."
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Other Honours

Royal New Zealand Honour: OBE 1968
PNZ Order of Merit: 2001