World’s Oldest Man Dies Just Days Short Of His Birthday

The world’s oldest man has died just a few days before his 113th birthday.

Saturnino de la Fuente Garcia was nearly a fortnight away from ringing in another trip around the sun, however the Spaniard has passed away.

The supercentenarian’s death has been confirmed by Senior Gerontology Consultant Robert Young, who was also responsible for recording him in the Guinness World Records as being the oldest person on Earth.

Saturnino was written into the history books in September last year when he was 112 years and 211 days.

When presented with the award, he was asked what he thought has helped keep him alive for so long.

“A quiet life… and do not hurt anyone,” is what he replied with.

He was born in Ponte Castro, Leon, all the way back in 1909 on February 11.

He married Antonina Barrio Gutiérrez in 1933 and managed to avoid being enlisted in the 1936 Spanish Civil War because of his short height (he stood at 150cm tall).

Guinness World Records notes how this helped him to create a ‘flourishing’ shoemaking business.

“That is how El Pepino’s (a shortened version for Peña, the name of Saturnino’s mother) craftsman skills brought him to create boots for the army and to become a famous artisan in the area,” the outlet reported.

During his marriage to Antonina, they brought eight children into the world. His family included 14 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

His other big passion in life was football and he was honoured by his favourite team Cultural y Deportivo Leonesa when he turned 110, who declared he was the club’s oldest member.

Upon news of his death, the team tweeted: “We’re saddened by the death of Saturnino de la Fuente, the oldest man in the world, and will remember him with great affection.

“We share the pain of his loss and we would like to express our condolences to his family and friends.”