John Tinniswood, an Englishman born in 1912, the same year as the Titanic tragedy, has passed away at the age of 112. He lived through two world wars and two global pandemics. Guinness World Records, which recently named him the world’s oldest man, confirmed his passing on Tuesday.
Tinniswood died on Monday at a care home in Southport, northwest England. His family shared that he was surrounded by “music and love” in his final moments, according to a statement to Guinness World Records.
“John had many amazing qualities,” his family said. “He was intelligent, decisive, brave, and always calm during crises. He excelled in maths and was a great conversationalist.”
Born in Liverpool in August 1912, Tinniswood met his wife, Blodwen, at a dance. They got married in 1942 during World War II when he was serving in the Royal Army Pay Corps, managing finances and food supplies.
After the war, he worked as an accountant in the oil industry before retiring at the age of 60. His wife passed away in 1986. Tinniswood is survived by a daughter, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
For a decade, from ages 100 to 110, Tinniswood received birthday cards every year from Queen Elizabeth II, who was 14 years younger than him. The Queen herself passed away in 2022.
Tinniswood followed no strict diet, enjoying his favorite battered fish and chips every Friday. He stayed mentally sharp by keeping up with current events and managing his own finances. Guinness World Records noted that these habits may have contributed to his longevity.
When awarded the title of the world’s oldest man in April, Tinniswood said his long life wasn’t due to any special secret. “It’s just luck,” he said. “You either live long or you don’t, and there’s not much you can do about it.”
