Prominent Greek-Cypriot doctor Jack Kerry dies aged 87

·

Prominent Greek-Cypriot doctor from Adelaide, Jack Kerry, dies just three years after the coronial inquest into the overdose of his daughter and her friend.

Dr Kerry passed away on August 4, aged 87, after working as a doctor in Adelaide for more than 60 years.

The respected medical professional’s life changed when he found his daughter, Athena Kyriacou, and her friend, Luke Pike, had overdosed on heroin inside his CBD medical practice in 2016.

While the doctor’s daughter survived – after he provided her with CPR – Mr Pike was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dr Jack Kerry arrives to give evidence in the Coroners inquest into the death of Lucas Adam Pike at the Coroners Court in Adelaide in 2019. Picture: AAP/Kelly Barnes

Dr Kerry was called to give evidence during a coronial inquest in 2019. He defended his actions as “paternal instinct”.

“I went straight to my daughter,” he said.

“I didn’t know whether she was going to come out of it and I didn’t know whether Luke Pike would come out of it.”

He told the coroner he found Mr Pike and his daughter, Athena, unconscious and instinctively began CPR on her.

He agreed Mr Pike was in a far worse state than his daughter but said the man had “gone past the point of no return”.

“One look at him, I thought he’d had a cardiac arrest, thought he was dead,” he said.

State Coroner Mark Johns made no criticism of Dr Kerry for reviving his daughter.

Dr Kerry found his daughter Athena Kyriacou overdosed on heroin inside his CBD medical practice in 2016.

Dr Kerry had suffered the loss of his only son, Jack, to a drug overdose eight years before the incident.

In his death notice, Dr Kerry was remembered as a “loving father” to his children Jack, Athena and Christopher.

“So sadly missed by his loved ones and the wider community for which he cared for,” it read.

“In Loving Memory of his life’s work as a Doctor in Adelaide over 60 years.”

Source: The Advertiser

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Democracy on the big screen: Youth shine at the 13th Greek Student Film Festival

13th Greek Student Film Festival - staged within Sydney's 30th Greek Film Festival - filled the cinema with laughter and plenty of Greek.

Panayiota Dimopoulos’ OXI Day artwork takes pride of place on The Greek Herald cover

Panayiota Dimopoulos from Oakleigh Grammar designed The Greek Herald’s OXI Day cover, capturing the shared history of Greece and Australia.

Greek and Cypriot leaders honour OXI Day with messages to Australia’s Greek diaspora

Greek and Cypriot politicians and diplomats have issued messages to Australia’s Greek diaspora ahead of the OXI Day celebrations.

Greek Film Festival wraps 30th year with a triumphant Sydney finale

The curtain fell on the 30th Greek Film Festival in Sydney on Sunday night with a sold-out screening of Athens Midnight Radio.

Pan Macedonian Federation of SA launches the 44th Dimitria Greek Festival

On Friday, October 24, the Pan Macedonian Federation of South Australia officially launched the 44th Dimitria Greek Festival.

You May Also Like

NSW Government partners with 15 councils to host major cultural events and festivals

NSW Government is investing $8 million into 21 major cultural festivals and events run by local councils across NSW.

Basketball EuroLeague: Greece’s Panathinaikos beat Turkey’s Anadolu Efes

Greece's Panathinaikos defeated Turkey's Anadolou Efes, on Thursday at the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. Greece won the match 86-70. Home team Panathinaikos' Point guard Nick Calathes...

Australian Embassy in Athens hosts book launch on Australia’s first Greek female settler

The Australian Embassy in Athens hosted the launch of Η Πρώτη Έποικος (The First Settler) on Wednesday, 1 October 2025.