Vitantonio Lovallo, the oldest known living man in Italy, dies at 112
The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is saddened to reported that Mr. Vitantonio Lovallo, the oldest known living man in Italy, sadly passed away in Avigliano, Basilicata on 15 September 2026 at the final age of 112 years and 171 days.
Vitantonio Lovallo was born in Avigliano, Basilicata, Italy on 28 March 1914 (although he and his family claimed that he was born on 25 March, and that his birth wasn’t registered until 28 March).
He married and had three children, two daughters and a son. Throughout his life he continued to work from the age of sixteen. He worked as a young man first as a shepherd and then as a muleteer.
During the Second World War, he was drafted into the army and, after 8 September 1943, was captured in Greece by German troops. Initially interned on the island of Rhodes, he was subsequently deported to a concentration camp in Germany, until the liberation on 8 May 1945, with the arrival of Russian troops. Upon returning to Basilicata, he resumed his life, tied to the land, his family, and the small community of Sarnelli.
On 28 March 2024, he celebrated his 110th birthday, becoming a supercentenarian. He is the first male from the region of Basilicata to attain supercentenarian status.
On 31 March 2024, three days after her 110th birthday, he became the oldest known living man in Italy, following the death of 110-year-old Michele Cicora.
On 30 May 2024, his age was officially validated by the GRG, verified by Andrea Oddone.
On 27 May 2026, he became the oldest known living man in Europe, following the death of 112-year-old Ilie Ciocan of Romania.
Vitantonio Lovallo passed away in Avigliano, Basilicata, Italy, on 15 September 2026, at the age of 112 years and 171 days. His funeral will be held on 17 September, in the Church of San Vincenzo Ferrer in Sarnelli. At the time of his death, he was the second-oldest known living person in Italy, after Lucia Laura Sangenito, and the third-oldest known living man in the world, after João Marinho Neto of Brazil and Ken Weeks of Australia.
Following Vitantonio’s death, then 111-year-old Joaquim Varela (born 1 June 1915) of Portugal became the oldest known living man in Europe, and then 109-year-old Angelo Peressini (born 2 July 1917) became the oldest known living man in Italy.
We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Mr. Vitantonio Lovallo during this difficult time.
LINKS
1. Potenza: a 112 anni muore Vitantonio Lovallo, l’uomo più anziano d’Italia
2. Vitantonio Lovallo, muore a 112 anni «Ziton» l’uomo più anziano di Italia