The world’s oldest living man has died at the age of 112, ‘surrounded by music and love’ in his care home in Merseyside.
John Tinniswood passed away on Monday in Southport, months after being named as the oldest man in the world.
He was born in Liverpool on August 26, 1912, the year the Titanic sank, and became the world’s oldest living man in April. He attributed his longevity to ‘luck’.
‘You either live long or you live short, and you can’t do much about it,’ he previously said.
His family told Guinness World Records: ‘John always liked to say thank you. So on his behalf, thanks to all those who cared for him over the years, including his carers at the Hollies Care Home, his GPs, district nurses, occupational therapist and other NHS staff.
‘John had many fine qualities. He was intelligent, decisive, brave, calm in any crisis, talented at maths and a great conversationalist.’
Mr Tinniswood lived through both world wars and is the world’s oldest surviving male Second World War veteran. He worked in an administrative role for the Army Pay Corps.
Beyond eating a portion of battered fish and chips every Friday, Mr Tinniswood said he did not follow any particular diet.
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In addition to accounts and auditing, his work involved logistical tasks such as locating stranded soldiers and organising food supplies. He went on to work as an accountant for Shell and BP before retiring in 1972.
A lifelong Liverpool FC fan, Mr Tinniswood was born just 20 years after the club was founded in 1892, and has lived through all eight of his club’s FA Cup wins and 17 of their 19 league title wins.
Mr Tinniswood met his wife, Blodwen, at a dance in Liverpool, and the couple enjoyed 44 years together before Blodwen died in 1986. They share a daughter, Susan, born in 1943.
Their daughter Susan was born in 1943.
Always do the best you can, whether you’re learning something or whether you’re teaching someone. Give it all you’ve got. Otherwise it’s not worth bothering with.
Since turning 100 in 2012, he received a birthday card each year from the late Queen Elizabeth, who was his junior by almost 14 years.
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When asked about how he felt turning 112 this August, he told Guinness World Records: ‘In all honesty, no different. I don’t feel that age, I don’t get excited over it. That’s probably why I’ve reached it.
‘I just take it in my stride like anything else, why I’ve lived that long I have no idea at all. I can’t think of any special secrets I have. I was quite active as a youngster, I did a lot of walking,’ he said.
The world’s oldest living man title now goes to Brazilian Joao Marinho Neto, also 112, born on October 5, 1912.
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