John Alfred Tinniswood, the world’s oldest living man, has passed away at the age of 112, his family confirmed.
Tinniswood, a lifelong Liverpool FC supporter, died on Monday at the Southport care home where he had lived. He became the world’s oldest living man in April 2024, following the death of Juan Vicente Pérez Mora at 114.
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His family shared that his final day was “surrounded by music and love.”
Born on August 26, 1912, the same year the Titanic sank, Tinniswood became the UK’s oldest man in 2020. He was recognized by the Guinness World Records as the oldest living man earlier this year.
He is survived by his daughter, Susan, and grandchildren Annouchka, Marisa, Toby, and Rupert, along with great-grandchildren Tabitha, Callum, and Nieve. The family described him as intelligent, decisive, brave, calm under pressure, and a gifted mathematician and conversationalist.
Tinniswood served in the Royal Army Pay Corps during World War II, where he took on logistical duties, including locating stranded soldiers and organizing food supplies. After the war, he worked for the Royal Mail and later as an accountant for Shell and BP, retiring in 1972.
In retirement, Tinniswood remained active, volunteering as a church elder and preaching at Blundellsands United Reformed Church. He was also a regular attendee of Liverpool FC games, having lived through all but two of the club’s 66 top-flight titles.
Though he credited his long life to nothing in particular, he previously said, “You either live long or you live short – and you can’t do much about it.”
Tinniswood had received annual birthday cards from the monarch since turning 100, first from Queen Elizabeth II and later from King Charles III. His family thanked everyone who had sent well-wishes in recent years.
“He really appreciated these birthday greetings and other messages of support.”
“John always liked to say thank you. So on his behalf , [we] thank 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.”
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The family have requested any donations in his memory be made to Age UK, or to a charity of their own choice.
The oldest living man on record was Jiroemon Kimura, from Japan, who lived to the age of 116 years and 54 days. He died in 2013.
The world’s oldest living woman, and oldest living person, is Japan’s Tomiko Itooka, who is currently 116.