John Tinniswood, who had been recognized since April of this year as the world’s oldest living man by the Guinness World Records (GWR), passed away this Monday at the age of 112 in a nursing home in Southport, United Kingdom.
His family confirmed that "his last day was surrounded by music and love."
Born on August 26, 1912, in Liverpool, John lived an extraordinary life that spanned over a century of historical events.
In 1942, during World War II, she got married and had her only daughter, Susan.
During the war, he served in the Royal Army Pay Corps, handling finances and military logistics.
After the war, he worked in accounting for companies such as Shell and BP until his retirement in 1972, at the age of 60.
John Tinniswood enjoyed 44 years of marriage until the passing of his wife in 1986.
The secret of their longevity
Tinniswood, who set the longevity record in April of this year following the death of Venezuelan Juan Vicente Pérez, has always been modest when discussing his long life, attributing it to "pure luck."
However, he shared a valuable piece of advice: "Do everything in moderation. If you drink, eat, or walk too much, sooner or later you will suffer." Staying mentally active was also key in his old age.
He managed his own finances, kept up with the daily news, and enjoyed a simple life. Among his pleasures, he always made sure to have his portion of fish and chips on Fridays.
Tinniswood, who received birthday cards from Queen Elizabeth II every year between the ages of 100 and 110, shared valuable reflections on life.
"Always do your best, whether you're learning or teaching. Give everything you have; if not, it’s not worth trying," he used to say.
His family described him as a man who was "intelligent, determined, brave, calm in any crisis, and a great conversationalist."
The centenarian is survived by his daughter Susan, four grandchildren (Annouchka, Marisa, Toby, and Rupert), and three great-grandchildren (Tabitha, Callum, and Nieve).
Tinniswood, a lifelong fan of Liverpool FC, lived to see his team win eight FA Cups and 17 league titles.
From his perspective, the world had changed little throughout his life, except for advancements in modern travel.
John Tinniswood is the fourth oldest British man recorded in history.
The person known to have lived the longest is the French nun Jeanne Louise Calment, who lived for 122 years and 164 days.
This year, Maria Branyas Morera, a Catalan who was considered the world's oldest living person, passed away at the age of 117, following the death of Calment, who died on January 17, 2023.
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