Tributes have poured in after the death of Bob Weighton, the world's oldest man, at the age of 112.
He died "peacefully" in his sleep at home in the UK in Alton, Hampshire, from cancer, his family confirmed.
Mr Weighton, a former teacher and engineer, became the world’s oldest man in February when Chitetsu Watanabe of Japan died.
The world's oldest woman is 117-tear-old Kane Tanaka, who lives in Japan. Guinness World Records is investigating who will succeed Mr Weighton as the oldest man.
The family, who confirmed his death in a statement to Britain's Press Association news agency, said they were grateful he had remained witty, kind, knowledgeable and a conversationalist "until the very end".
"Bob was an extraordinary man, and to the family, not really because of the amazing age he reached," the statement read.
"A role model to us all, he lived his life interested in and engaged with all kinds of people from across the world.
"He viewed everyone as his brother or sister and believed in loving and accepting and caring for one another.
Bob Weighton died peacefully on Thursday morning at his home in Brendoncare #Alton, from cancer. He had many friends within Brendoncare, and we will miss his wisdom, kindness and friendship. It was a privilege to know him. Our thoughts are with his family & friends at this time. pic.twitter.com/QerSd9rjaa
— Brendoncare (@Brendoncare) May 29, 2020
"He had many, many friendships and read and talked politics, theology, ecology and more right up until his death.
"He also cared greatly for the environment.
"The second bedroom in his flat was a workshop, filled with furniture, windmills and puzzles he made and sold in aid of charity, often from bits of wood pulled from skips.
Sad to hear that #Britains & the #worldsoldestman #BobWeighton has passed away. Bob's secret to long life, 'Just avoid dying' finally couldn't sustain him after 112 years! Rest in peace.
— Paul Bray (@1964panic) May 29, 2020
"We are so grateful that until the very end Bob remained our witty, kind, knowledgeable, conversationalist father, grandfather and great grandfather, and we will miss him greatly."
Mr Weighton was born in Hull, northern England, on March 29, 1908, and was one of seven children. He is survived by his three children, 10 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
He celebrated his last birthday with the UK under coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
‘It’s far better to make a friend out of a possible enemy than an enemy out of a possible friend.’ Bob Weighton aged 112. Such wise words 👍 https://t.co/pVeowD38XI
— Sharon Jennings (@Yogashar) May 29, 2020
I think laughter is extremely important... We spend our lives taking ourselves too seriously.
— Mamta Seema Omle (@MamtaOmle) May 29, 2020
.... Mr. Weighton
BBC News - World's oldest man Bob Weighton dies, aged 112 https://t.co/4nl2FWvpXR
