Devonport farewells first mayor Kerry

Ald. Berwick died of cancer at the weekend, aged 64, having served more than 25 years in local government, making him the longest- serving alderman in modern times.

Stephen Daly, who gave the eulogy, described Mr Berwick as a tireless worker for the Devonport community who always acted in the best interests of the city.

"We had some pretty intense debates around the council table, and Kerry had a fiery temper, but he always left it at the table and would be quick with a joke afterwards," Mr Daly said.

Mr Daly said the former football umpire and top-level basketball referee loved a joke, and had a good sense of humour, but was most revered for his compassion and strong sense of social justice, which manifested itself even as early as when he was a schoolboy at Devonport High School.

"He would help those who were being unfairly done by, and that stayed with Kerry throughout his life," Mr Daly said.

One of Ald. Berwick's proudest moments was hosting Prince Charles in 1981 when the prince proclaimed Devonport a city, making Ald. Berwick the city's first mayor.

Despite two failed attempts to enter State Parliament in 1982 and 1984, Ald. Berwick still went on to become a thorn in the side of a few State governments when Devonport's best interests were at stake, Mr Daly said.

Ald. Berwick, an electrician who once dreamed of becoming a radio announcer, also had a love and an awareness of the wilderness, particularly Mt Roland.

He was a survivor of childhood polio, and his welcoming nature was always apparent, Mr Daly said, with his familiar salutation of "good luck to you, sir, good luck to you" a defining characteristic.

Mr Daly said Devonport was much poorer for the loss of Ald. Berwick, who is survived by his wife of 42 years, Pat, and three children.

He was interred at the Mersey Vale Lawn Cemetery.