World’s Oldest Living Man, John Tinniswood, dies at 112
The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is saddened to report news that Mr. John Tinniswood, Guinness World Records and the Gerontology Research Group-validated WORLD’S OLDEST LIVING MAN, sadly passed away in Southport, Merseyside, England, UK on 25 November 2024 at the age of 112 years, 91 days. We extend our condolences to John’s family and all his friends. May he rest in peace.
John Tinniswood was born on 26 August 1912 in Merseyside, England, UK and his life’s melody has echoed through the pages of history.
During World War II, despite challenges with his eyesight, Tinniswood found purpose in an administrative role with Royal Mail. Fate led him to a dance in Liverpool, where he met his beloved Blodwen. Their marriage in 1942 was the beginning of a beautiful journey, blessed with the arrival of their daughter Susan in 1943. For 44 years, they stood side by side until Blodwen’s passing in 1986.
Tinniswood’s professional journey took him through the realms of finance, serving as an accountant for Shell and BP until his retirement in 1972.
In his later years, residing in a care home in Southport, Tinniswood remained a Liverpool FC enthusiast, a passion that undoubtedly added to the vibrancy of his life. Even at the age of 107 in 2019, he navigated daily tasks independently, a testament to his resilience. He was able to get out of bed unassisted, read the newspaper every morning, and still managed his own finances. Tinniswood is an avid Liverpool FC fan. He has said that his secret to longevity is “eating battered fish and chips every Friday”.
On 25 September 2020, following the death of 108-year-old Harry Fransman, Tinniswood became the oldest known living man in the UK. Celebrating his 110th birthday in August 2022, Tinniswood embraced the title of supercentenarian.
His age was verified using modern scientific age validation criteria by the Guinness World Records, Marisa Tinniswood, Oliver Trim (GRG Correspondent for the UK) and Waclaw Jan Kroczek, and validated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) on 26 August 2023.
On 14 January 2024, following the death of 111-year-old Luis Torras Martinez of Spain, Tinniswood became the last surviving European man born in 1912.
On 1 June 2024, following the death of 112-year-old Georges Thomas of France, Tinniswood became the oldest living man in Europe.
On 29 June 2024, following the death of 112-year-old Shi Ping of China, Tinniswood became the oldest documented living man in the world, however Guinness World Records recognized him almost three months earlier, on 4 April 2024, two days after the death of 114-year-old Juan Vicente Perez Mora of Venezuela.
At the time of his death, he was the third-oldest living person in the United Kingdom, behind 115-year-old Ethel Caterham and 112-year-old Mary Keir.
