Channel Nine star Peter Overton has been struck by family tragedy after his father died at the age of 88.

John Herbert Overton AM died ‘peacefully’ surrounded by his loving family.

‘His compassion and skill touched and saved so many lives,’ his obituary read.

In 2020, Overton opened up on his close relationship with his father John.

‘I talk to him every single night, I ring him and we chat about the day,’ he said.

‘Dad has been, through his 83 years, a man of immense generosity of spirit… he’s the most beautiful human being.

‘I think to be a paediatric anaesthetist, dealing with the tiniest of premature babies through to teenagers, you’re a special person in your own right, and Dad has that in spades.’

John was an associate professor of anesthesia at the University of Sydney and worked at Westmead Children’s Hospital.

Channel Nine star Peter Overton has been hit by a family tragedy after his father died at the age of 88

‘Prof Overton, along with other leading doctors, was instrumental in educating and training the first ever class of paramedics in NSW and was the driving force behind the establishment of intensive care paramedics in the state,’ his obituary read.

In 2014, he received the Member of the Order of Australia from Governor Marie Bashir. 

‘Dad worked at Westmead Children’s Hospital for decades and he was the most beautiful doctor, revered by all,’ Overton said of his father at the time.

‘On a day like this, all the thousands of sick kids and their parents who he has treated over decades would be as proud of him as we are today. 

‘And mum’s part of that, too.’ 

John received the award for ‘significant service to medicine, particularly in the area of anaesthesia, through clinical, administration and advisory roles, and to professional organisations’.

He thanked his family and colleagues for the support they had given him over the years.

‘It’s the ambulance service, the army, the hospital, all my colleagues and, of course, my wonderful family that believed in one thing – that you should do something for society and make it a little better when you leave,’ John said.

‘[President John F] Kennedy’s words still echo – “Don’t ask what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country”. 

‘It’s not about money, although you need money – it’s about what you leave. 

‘One of the great things about working with the Children’s Hospital or the army or the diggers has been, as much as anything, giving something back – you can get so much personal joy out of it.’