John Farringdon, United Kingdom’s second-oldest living man, dies at 111

The Gerontology Research Group is saddened to report news that Mr. John Farringdon, the second-oldest living man in the United Kingdom, third-oldest living man in Europe and fourth-oldest living man in the world, died in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England, United Kingdom on 13 August 2024 at the age of 111 years, 67 days.

John Farringdon was born in Enfield, north London, England, UK on 7 June 1913 as the only son out of four children. In the 1920s, aged 16, he began his first job repairing typewriters. A few years later, in 1934, he was employed by the Ford Motor Company as a typewriter mechanic. Although he initially aspired to be a Spitfire pilot for the Royal Air Force during World War II, he ultimately decided to stay working for Ford, where he helped manufacture tank parts for the Army during the war. He would remain employed at Ford for 40 years before retiring.

In 1940, he married his wife, Irene, at Essex Registry Office, after meeting her while being stationed with her family during the war. The couple would remain together until Irene’s death at the age of 38. He would later meet a woman named Vera while playing darts at a local pub, who would become his long-term partner until her death around 1990.

In June 2023, Farringdon celebrated his 110th birthday and became a supercentenarian. In December 2023, Farringdon met with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. His age was verified by GRG-UK Correspondent Oliver Trim, and validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) on 21 November 2023.

His death was reported by the Cubbington Mill Care Home.