Remembering Kerry John O’Carroll
Highlights
- Kerry John O’Carroll, Member of the Gold Coast Chapter, and ACS member of 42 years has sadly passed away. Kerry was a cherished mentor, devoted member of the Gold Coast tech community and a very kind and generous man. Learn more about Kerry’s amazing career and the tributes from the Gold Coast Chapter.
Kerry started his career in the Information Technology industry in the late 1960's in New Zealand, and apart from a two-year working holiday in England and Europe in his early 20's, most of his career was spent developing business systems for large local and multi-national companies in New Zealand, Australia and Hong Kong.
Kerry was instrumental in building and supporting the ACS QLD Gold Coast Chapter and bridging the gap between the chapter and the GC ICT Community. Kerry had been an ACS member for 42 years and has made a lasting impact on the region.
Kerry and his wife also volunteered at the Elephant Nature Park in 2010 and 2012 where they would spend the week with elephants at the park located in Mae Taeng Valley, Chiang Mai province, Northern Thailand. Established in the 1990’s our aim has always been to provide a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants. The park is located some 60km from the city, and has provided a sanctuary for dozens of distressed elephants from all over Thailand.
See the below tributes from the Gold Coast Chapter:
‘Kerry was a cherished mentor and a devoted member of the ACS Gold Coast chapter and the ICT Community on the Coast. His guidance, unwavering support, and infectious laughter were constants in our journey, he was always there to ensure that everything operated seamlessly. His legacy will be one of positivity, steadfast commitment to the IT community, and his ability to unite diverse Gold Coast communities. Kerry's approachable demeanour made a lasting impression on everyone he worked alongside. He will be deeply missed, and we will forever remember his contributions to the ACS and the Gold Coast Tech Community with fond smiles.’ Mathew Eames, Chair of the ACS QLD Gold Coast Chapter and CIO, Protect
‘Really sad news. Sincere condolences to his family. He was instrumental in resurrecting ACS on the Gold Coast a long time ago.’ Dr Clarence Tan, Co-founder, Exponential Positive Impact Capital (EPIC)
‘Very sad news. My condolences to Kerry’s family’, Richard Barrett, Director of Faculty
TAFE Queensland Gold Coast
‘Please send my deepest condolences to Kerry's family.’ Professor Alan Wee-Chung Liew, Head of School, School of Information and Communication Technology, Deputy Director, Institute for Integrated and Intelligent Systems, Griffith University
‘Kerry and I were a part of the ACS Gold Coast chapter committee and the IT forum for over 20 years. I will miss his wit and wisdom and his dedication to our ACS members’ David Denham, Retired ICT Consultant
‘He was such a positive and friendly person and obviously had a positive effect on those around him’ Matthew Jorgensen, Education Pathways and Partnership Manager
‘Farewell my friend and deepest condolences to the family’, Mok Singh, Advocacy Officer, The Migrant Centre & Computer Forensic Consultant
‘Kerry has done so much for the IT community on the GC. I have been in the ACS GC Committee for over 15 years I think. He was an excellent treasurer for many years, making sure all our events were well looked after. He will be greatly missed for sure.’ Ann Stevens, Associate Lecturer Digital Design, TAFE Queensland
'Thank you Kerry for always being such a positive light in the chapter meetings and being like a work uncle to me. I appreciated how you would always be the first to help with the registration desk at events, you wanted to help bridge the gap between the Gold Coast communities which you achieved and regardless of what you were going through always had a smile on your face in chapter meetings. It was only a few months ago in the GC Chapter meeting I mentioned I was going on leave to get married, and you were so happy for me and came off mute to wish me all the best, it really meant a lot and has stayed with me. Thank you Kerry for all that you have done for ACS and the Gold Coast Tech Community, we miss you so much already. Sending love to your family and we will are here if they ever need anything. Rest in peace dear Kerry.’ Alannah Grech, Partner Success Manager, ACS
Rest in Peace Kerry
