Ilie Ciocan (Romanian: [iˈli.e tʃoˈkan]; 10 June [O.S. 28 May] 1913 – 27 May 2026) was a Romanian supercentenarian[1][2] who, at the time of his death at the age of 112 years, 351 days, was the oldest living World War II veteran and the second-oldest living man in the world after João Marinho Neto of Brazil. He is the oldest known Romanian person ever.[3]
Ilie Ciocan | |
|---|---|
 Ciocan in 2025 | |
| Born | 10 June 1913 Cremenari, Galicea, Vâlcea County, Kingdom of Romania |
| Died | (aged 112 years, 351 days) Bratia din Vale, Galicea, Vâlcea County, Romania |
| Known for |
|
| Spouse |
Floarea Obogeanu
(m. 1932; died 1992) |
| Children | 6 |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | Kingdom of Romania |
Branch | Romanian Land Forces |
Service years | 1935–1945 |
Rank | Major |
Conflicts | World War II |
Background
editIlie Ciocan was born in the village of Cremenari, Galicea, Vâlcea County, Romania, on 10 June [O.S. 28 May] 1913. He was orphaned as a child[4][5] and began work as a shepherd to survive.[6]
In January 1932, at the age of 18, he married Floarea Obogeanu, who was seven years his senior. Together they had six children, three daughters and three sons. His wife died in 1992, aged 86.[7]
Ciocan died in Bratia din Vale in Galicea on 27 May 2026, at the age of 112 years and 351 days.[8]
Military service
editIn 1935, Ciocan began serving in the Romanian army after he was drafted into the 6th Artillery Regiment in Pitești at the age of 22; he was subsequently sent to the front in 1941 as Romania entered World War II. He participated in World War II on the Axis side as a machine-gunner and courier on the Eastern Front, in Odesa and the Don Bend, but also went to the Western Front.[9]
Following orders of general promotion issued after 1990 by the Ministry of National Defence of Romania, Ciocan reached the rank of major.[4]
Health and longevity
editCiocan could ride a bicycle until 90 years old. At the age of 93, he slipped in snow and broke his leg, and recovered despite prohibiting doctors from putting his leg in a cast.[10] He was able to read the newspaper without glasses until he reached the age of 103.[4]
Ciocan became the oldest living man in Europe following the death of 112-year-old Briton John Tinniswood on 25 November 2024.[11] On 16 January 2025, he surpassed the national record of 111 years and 219 days set by Dumitru Comănescu (1908–2020), becoming the oldest validated person ever from Romania.[12]
References
edit- ↑ "Ilie Ciocan, the country's oldest war veteran, turns 110" (in Romanian). Radio Romania Actualitați. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
- ↑ "Ilie Ciocan, cel mai bătrân om din România, a împlinit 111 ani / A luptat în Al Doilea Război Mondial / "Cât am fost pe front am luptat ca ţara să fie liberă şi independentă"" (in Romanian). G4Media. 29 May 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
- ↑ "World Supercentenarian Rankings List". Retrieved 5 March 2025.
- 1 2 3 "Ilie Ciocan". Gerontology Research Group. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
- ↑ "REPORTAJ Viața la 111 ani. Ilie Ciocan, cel mai în vârstă român, trăiește în Galicea, Vâlcea, și e îngrijit cu devotament de nepoții pe care nu i-a iubit: "I-am promis tatei că o să avem grijă de el!"" (in Romanian). Libertatea. 15 August 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
- ↑ "In comuna Galicea traieste azi cel mai in varsta veteran de razboi din Valcea" (in Romanian). Ziare. 29 April 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
- ↑ "Vâlceanul Ilie Ciocan, 112 ani de viață și eroism – cel mai în vârstă veteran al planetei" (in Romanian). Ziarulde Vâlcea. 29 May 2025. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
- ↑ Valcean, Eveniment (27 May 2026). "A plecat dintre noi eroul care a sfidat timpul. Ilie Ciocan, veteranul din Galicea, s-a stins cu o zi înainte de a împlini 113 ani". Eveniment Valcean (in Romanian). Retrieved 27 May 2026.
- ↑ "Cel mai longeviv veteran de război din România. "Nu am omorât pe nimeni pe front. Calul m-a salvat din război" FOTO" (in Romanian). Adevărul. 31 July 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2025.
- ↑ "Cel mai longeviv veteran de război mai îmbătrânește cu un an. Ilie Ciocan nu este fumător și bea doar ocazional VIDEO" (in Romanian). Adevărul. 29 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
- ↑ Kroczek, Wacław Jan (28 November 2024). "Ilie Ciocan of Bratia din Vale, Romania, becomes the oldest living man in Europe at 111". Gerontology Research Group. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
- ↑ Kroczek, Wacław Jan (16 January 2025). "Ilie Ciocan becomes the oldest Romanian ever, breaking the previous record of Dumitru Comănescu (1908–2020) – 111 years, 219 days". Gerontology Research Group. Retrieved 13 April 2025.