LONDON (CB) - John Alfred Tinniswood of Southport did not do The Foxtrot on any graves when he became the Guinness World Record holder for the oldest man. Graciously accepting the certificate, he shared his secrets of a long life lived.

The World's Oldest Man is quite an odd record that pits earned versus given. Certainly, One has to wonder, is the record the most cursed record that Guiness has? As there are no living former record holders.

Juan Vicente Perez of Venezuela (114) had passed the crown to Gisaburo Sonobe of Japan (112) in March. Sonobe passed the record to Tinniswood (111) on March 31st when he passed, leaving us with a new oldest man.

Tinniswood was an accountant who was born just months after the sinking of the Titanic, lived through two world wars, the entire curse of the bambino and has seen the McRib added and removed from the Mcdonald’s menus over two dozen times. He is glad it now pops up almost yearly as a special offering.

John credits his longevity to luck with some morbid yet refreshing parting words, "It's pure luck. You either live long or you live short, and you can't do much about it."

AP Story