World’s oldest man dies in England at 112

For almost nine months, John Alfred Tinniswood held the title of oldest man in the world, marking his 112th birthday under his reign.

His record-holding status ended Monday when Tinniswood died at a nursing home in northwest England, near Liverpool, where he was born on Aug. 26, 1912, his family said in a statement.

Tinniswood attributed his longevity to “pure luck”.

“You either live a long time or you live a short time, and there’s not much you can do about it,” the retired accountant and great-grandfather told Guinness World Records when he won the title in April.

If there’s a secret in this, it’s that moderation is the key to healthy living. He never smoked, rarely drank and followed no particular diet, apart from eating fish and chips every Friday.

“If you drink too much, if you eat too much, or if you walk too much – if you do too many things – you will eventually suffer,” Tinniswood said.

Tinniswood was born a few months after the sinking of the Titanic. He lived through two world wars and served in the British Army Pay Corps during World War II.

Tinniswood was 111 years old earlier this year when he claimed the record after Juan Vicente Pérez of Venezuela died at 114.

Guinness World Records did not say who would replace Tinniswood as the new record holder.

He is survived by his daughter Susan, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. His wife of 44 years, Blodwen, died in 1986.

When Tinniswood turned 112 in August, he said he took it in stride – like everything he did.

“I don’t feel that age, I’m not excited about it,” he said.

“That’s probably why I reached for it.”

The world’s oldest living woman, and oldest living person, is Tomiko Itooka, a 116-year-old Japanese woman.