Former artillery officer and pilot Adam Loughrey battles terminal brain cancer

A former Australian Army and police officer, and airline pilot, is facing his toughest challenge yet as his family makes the most of every moment together.

Adam and Vicky Loughrey. Photo: Contributed.

A Sunshine Coast family is grappling with heartbreak after Adam Loughrey, a devoted husband, father, and dedicated community member, was diagnosed with terminal Glioblastoma (GBM) late last year.

Mr Loughrey’s life has been dedicated to service, from his years in the Australian Army and NSW Police to his time as a commercial airline pilot and mentoring young cadets.

After serving nearly two decades in the Australian Army as an artillery officer, including a year-long deployment in Iraq, Mr Loughrey transitioned to a career as a commercial airline pilot.

For 14 years, he flew planes in Papua New Guinea, working fly-in, fly-out from Australia.

His skill and experience led him to a key leadership role as the check and training captain for PNG Air, where he was responsible for evaluating and overseeing the performance and training of fellow pilots.

He also served as the airline’s deputy chief pilot and mentored young cadets at the air force cadets Caloundra squadron.

In his final years as a commercial pilot, Mr. Loughrey flew a 747 for Atlas Air, an American cargo company, travelling globally for the last two years of his distinguished career before his final flight in April 2024.

But now, the 50-year-old Sunshine Coast father of four is facing his toughest battle yet – an aggressive terminal Glioblastoma (GBM) brain tumour.

Adam and Vicky Loughrey. Photo: Contributed

Adam Loughrey served in Iraq in 2007. Image: Contributed.

Mr Loughrey’s wife, Vicky, recalled the subtle changes in his health last year that were initially attributed to stress or fatigue.

“He just wasn’t well, he was fatigued … it was out of character,” Mrs Loughrey said.

She shared that he started to put on weight, let his hair grow long, stopped shaving, and would sleep for hours on end.

“In the 22 years that we had been together, I had never seen that. I thought to myself, ‘oh my God, he’s not flying, he’s depressed.’”

As Mr Loughrey’s symptoms worsened, the couple attempted to seek answers from a specialist.

Mrs Loughrey explained they visited the specialist three times in four months, but each time, the response was the same: the specialist couldn’t identify the cause of Mr Loughrey’s condition.

“The specialist said ‘look I don’t even know why you’re here, you need to start exercising, lose some weight’,” she said.

Adam Loughrey. Photo: Contributed.

By November, as the symptoms progressed, including bouts of forgetfulness, such as him pulling over to the side of the road, unable to remember where he was driving, Mrs Loughrey insisted on a brain scan.

The devastating diagnosis came quickly the next morning.

“They said, ‘call an ambulance and get him to emergency, he’s got a brain tumour’,” Mrs Loughrey said.

Tests confirmed the tumour was inoperable, leaving the family grappling with the reality that Mr Loughrey had only months to live.

The diagnosis coincided with their 16th wedding anniversary.

Despite the distressing prognosis, the family is determined to make the most of their time together.

Adam and Vicky Loughrey. Photo: Contributed

Adam Loughrey with his daughters Keyarah and Kora. Photo: Contributed.

Mrs Loughrey said their children, Blake, 17 and Emily, 15, had been making an extra effort to create cherished memories, like watching movies together as a family.

“They’re going out of their way to ensure they have those special moments,” she said.

Emily, who shares her father’s passion for aviation, has followed in his footsteps by joining the air force cadets.

Mrs Loughrey believes this shared bond will make her father’s eventual loss even harder.

“They have those things in common … so I think that is going to be difficult for her,” she said.

Christmas was spent quietly at home, surrounded by the entire family, including Mr Loughrey’s two oldest daughters, Keyarah, 24, and Kora, 21.

“We had a very quiet lunch and a very quiet day,” Mrs Loughrey shared.

The family reminisced over photo albums, watched movies, and enjoyed a sunset cruise on a hired pontoon boat in Caloundra.

“We tried to create a nice memory,” she said, her voice breaking with emotion.

Adam Loughrey with his daughters. Photo: Contributed

Adam and Vicky Loughrey. Photo: Contributed

Known for his humility and kindness, Mrs Loughrey shared that Adam would often go out of his way to help others, such as mowing his neighbour’s lawn without being asked.

“His whole life he’s lived by ‘family first’,” Mrs Loughrey said.

Now, as Mr Loughrey undergoes daily chemotherapy and radiation treatments, the family faces financial strain.

Mrs Loughrey has taken on the role of full-time carer while also managing the household and supporting their children. She also shared they will likely need to sell their house.

To ease the burden, Mr Loughrey’s sister Richelle Hextall set up a GoFundMe campaign, which has raised almost $60,000.

The funds will help cover essential bills, making life a little easier during the difficult journey ahead.

Adam and Vicky Loughrey and their kids Blake and Emily. Photo: Contributed.

Adam and Vicky Loughrey and their kids on Christmas Day 2020. Photo: Contributed.

The outpouring of support from the Pelican Waters community has been overwhelming for Mrs Loughrey, with gestures ranging from hampers donated by shopkeepers to a real estate agent offering to waive commission fees to help them sell their home.

“These people have kind of wrapped us up in a big hug and supported us when we need it,” Mrs Loughrey said.

“I know it’s going to be so important for the kids when the time comes,” she said, through tears.

For now, the Loughrey family is focusing on making the most of the time they have left together.

To donate and support the Loughrey family, click here.

Originally published as Former artillery officer and pilot Adam Loughrey battles terminal brain cancer