Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson pays tribute to disability advocate Peter Ryan

A disability advocate who worked tirelessly to make the Coast more accessible has been remembered as having a “heart of gold” after losing a long health battle.

Peter Ryan is being remembered as a champion of people with disabilities on the Sunshine Coast.

Of all the milestones he set out to achieve, Peter Ryan had one goal.

To leave the world a better place than how he found it.

It was this determination to make a difference that Mr Ryan's loved ones will remember the most.

The Caloundra resident died earlier this month after battling a long illness. He was 77.

Mr Ryan was a founding member and chair of the Sunshine Coast Access Advisory Network for more than a decade, providing a strong voice for people with a disability.

Peter Ryan and his seeing eye dog Pebbles in 2015. Picture: Warren Lynam

Life changed dramatically for the father of three in his early 40s when he lost his sight as a consequence of his diabetes.

Long-term friend Peter Parks said despite his own vision impairment, this never slowed him down.

"Peter was a big champion for people with vision impairment because he was legally blind, of course," Mr Parks said.

"Some of his achievements were not noticed by many without a disability, but for those with a disability, Peter and the team have made a huge difference."

The Sunshine Coast Australia Day Award nominee worked tirelessly to make the region more accessible, by consulting on hospital and council projects.

Mr Parks said Mr Ryan's guide dog Pebbles and his passion to help others were constants in his life.

"He was always available to people with disability, if they needed any advice or if he could help in any way, he'd be the first one to chip in and help," he said.

"He found a calling as a counsellor with Lifeline and spent the next 18 years counselling people on the end of a telephone on a voluntary basis."

Sunshine Coast Access Advisory Network's Peter Ryan and his passionate band of hard workers.

Between all the ways Mr Ryan made an impact on the Coast, Mr Parks said his mate would be remembered most for his tenacity.

"He was a stubborn bugger, that's for sure, but I think that's how he was able to survive a couple of big health scares and come out on top," he said.

"If we had more individuals with the courage and determination of Peter Ryan, as well as the generosity of spirit, the world would be a much better place."

Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson paid tribute to the "true community champion" and acknowledged Mr Ryan's commitment to the region.

"Peter provided critical input to many council projects including the Bulcock Street Caloundra streetscape design, on-site testing of Caloundra mobility maps as well as contributing to the development of Council's Access and Inclusion Action Plan 2011-2016," he said.

"He participated in council's disaster management exercises and provided valuable and practical advice to council's evacuation centre program to increase accessibility support during disasters. This led to a large number of infrastructure modifications at key venues.

Peter Ryan is being remembered as a champion of people with disabilities on the Sunshine Coast.

"We cannot thank Peter enough for his contribution to the Sunshine Coast and we hope his actions leave a lasting legacy and continue to inspire others for many years to come."

Carer and friend of 50 years Kay Hagen said Mr Ryan was "always a gentleman".

"He always worked to the betterment of other people with disabilities," she said.

"He was just a kind gentleman who had a heart of gold.

"He was a good family man, a very loyal friend and a great part of the community.

"We miss him, but he knows that."

Originally published as Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson pays tribute to disability advocate Peter Ryan