[IDSFparents] World's oldest man wDs dies

[Guest guest]

lived with his brother, Alf, since their parents died 27

yrs ago. It was very encouraging to me to see that Alf did not consider it a

burden to care for his brother, even when they were both old.

Source: http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/World39s-oldest-Down39s-syndrome-man.3597652.jp

World's oldest Down's syndrome man

dies

on

View Gallery

By Katy Wheeler

The oldest man in the world with Down's syndrome has died

aged 68.

Doctors didn't expect on to live past 14, but he

went on to have a long, healthy life and was even awarded the title of

" Oldest man with Down's syndrome living " by Guinness World Records.

He died peacefully on December 12 surrounded by friends and family at

Court Nursing Home in Wycliffe Road, High , Sunderland.

Today his devoted big brother Alf paid tribute to a man who " showed others

what people with Down's syndrome could achieve " .

Alf, 76, said: " Everyone was really proud of . When he was born

handicapped children tended to be hidden away, but that was never the case with

.

" My parents made sure he had his independence, and everyone knew him in

the area. He was always smiling and was a proper little character. "

Alf cared for at the family home in Midmoor Road, Pallion, for 27 years

after the death of their parents, Joe and Della.

A keen knitter, rug-maker and puzzle-solver, was always active and

attended the Fulwell Training Centre for 40 years.

One of Alf's proudest moments was in May when , then aged 67, was

recognised by Guinness as the oldest living man with Down's syndrome. He went

on to extend the record by 215 days.

In the last 12 months 's health had deteriorated as he developed dementia

and Alf had to do everything for his brother – but he wouldn't have had it any

other way.

The former driver for the Little Sisters of the Poor said: " I wanted him

to stay in the house he knew. He was very intelligent. His speech wasn't very

good but I knew exactly what he meant. "

On July 31 this year, 's health took a turn for the worse and he was

admitted to hospital with a urinary blockage.

This led to other complications and over the next few weeks he was in and out

of temporary respite homes, as his condition was too severe for Alf to look

after him.

During this time he contracted MRSA and was unable to use his legs.

Eventually he was admitted to Court Nursing Home where he spent his

final few weeks before he died from bronchial pneumonia and a heart attack.

Brothers ph, 80, Alf and sister Maureen, 71, were by his side.

Alf said: " We would visit him every day, so it was some comfort that we

were there when he died. He didn't suffer. "

Neighbour Marie Wood also paid tribute to and says he will be sadly

missed in the area.

She said: " He was a gorgeous man who was always friendly and smiling. He

used to say that my seven-year-old son Jay was his best friend and Jay would

make him cards and go round and watch TV with him. He will be a big miss in the

neighbourhood. "

Alf said: " I just want to thank everybody who helped on his last

journey: Court, the Carers' Centre and Doctor Wilderman. All the

neighbours have been marvellous as well. "

A service for was taking place today at 9.30am at St ph's Church,

Millfield.