John Tinniswood, a former Elder at Blundellsands United Reformed Church in Mersey Synod, and the world鈥檚 oldest man has died aged 112.
John, who died on 25 November at a care home in Southport where he lived, was awarded a Guinness 精品午夜福利国产 Records (GWR) in April, aged 111, when he聽, following the death of 114-year-old聽聽from Venezuela. His record-breaking age was verified by聽Robert Young, GWR’s lead consultant for gerontology.
His family said the world record holder enjoyed an active retirement volunteering as a church elder at the former Blundellsands United Reformed Church where he used to enjoy giving sermons. He also enjoyed walking in Merseyside well in his late nineties.
John was born on 26 August 1912 in Liverpool, the city where he grew up and eventually met his wife, Blodwen.
The couple met at a dance and later got married in 1942, which John later recalled as one of his fondest memories. A year later, their daughter Susan was born.
During the Second 精品午夜福利国产 War, John served in the Royal Army Pay Corps, responsible for administering finances as well as organizing food supplies and locating stranded soldiers.
After the war, he spent his career working in accounts for Shell and BP before retiring in 1972, aged 60.
John enjoyed 44 years of marriage to Blodwen before she died in 1986.
From ages 100-110, John received a birthday card every year from Queen Elizabeth II, who was almost 14 years younger than him.
Of the recipe to long life, John told Guiness 精品午夜福利国产 Record that there wasn鈥檛 any secret to his record-breaking longevity, describing it as 鈥減ure luck.鈥�
He added: 鈥淵ou either live long or you live short, and you can鈥檛 do much about it.鈥�
John maintained an active brain throughout his old age, which potentially contributed to him living so long. He kept up with the news every day and managed all his own finances.
Besides eating a portion of battered fish and chips every Friday, John didn鈥檛 follow any particular diet, admitting he just ate 鈥渨hat they give me鈥�.
His key advice for staying healthy is to practice moderation. He said: 鈥淚f you drink too much or you eat too much or you walk too much; if you do too much of anything, you鈥檙e going to suffer eventually.鈥�
John was a lifelong Liverpool supporter, born just 20 years after the club was founded. He lived to see all eight of his club鈥檚 FA cup wins and 17 of their 19 league title wins.
When Guinness 精品午夜福利国产 Records asked John how the world had changed throughout his lifetime, he chuckled and replied: 鈥淚t鈥檚 no better in my opinion, or hardly any better, than it was then. Probably in some places it is, but in other places it鈥檚 worse.
鈥淭he world has gone smaller because of modern travel, principally caused by the aeroplane.
鈥淏ut since then, I can鈥檛 think of anything else that鈥檚 made the world much different. That鈥檚 only my opinion. Otherwise, it鈥檚 about the same.鈥�
His advice for younger generations is: 鈥淎lways do the best you can, whether you鈥檙e learning something or whether you鈥檙e teaching someone.
鈥淕ive it all you鈥檝e got. Otherwise, it鈥檚 not worth bothering with.鈥�
John lived to be the fourth-oldest British man in recorded history.
He is survived by his daughter, four grandchildren Annouchka, Marisa, Toby and Rupert and three great-grandchildren Tabitha, Callum and Nieve.
鈥淗is last day was surrounded by music and love. 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,鈥� said John鈥檚 family in a statement to Guinness 精品午夜福利国产 Records.
鈥淛ohn had many fine qualities. He was intelligent, decisive, brave, calm in any crisis, talented at maths and a great conversationalist.鈥�
They added: 鈥淛ohn moved to the Hollies Rest Home just before his 100th birthday and his kindness and enthusiasm for life were an inspiration to the care home staff and his fellow residents.鈥�
Our thoughts and prayers are with John鈥檚 family and friends at this time.
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