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World's oldest person dies at age 115 at home in Puerto Rico
The Associated Press
Issue date: 1/25/07 Section: News
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - Emiliano Mercado del Toro was born when Puerto Rico was still a Spanish colony and trained as a soldier the year World War I ended.
On Wednesday, having spent just a month as the world's oldest person, he died at his home on the northern coast of Puerto Rico, his grandniece, Dolores Martinez told The Associated Press. He was 115.
"He died like a little angel," Martinez said.
Mercado del Toro never married and had no children.
In the seaside town of Isabela, he became a local celebrity after he was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for his longevity.
"We're all crying, but we knew this day would come," said town spokeswoman Rosa Luciano.
Mercado del Toro, who was born on Aug. 21, 1891, became the oldest known person in the world last month when 116-year-old Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bolden died in December in a nursing home in Tennessee.
A 114-year-old Connecticut woman, Emma Faust Tillman, is now believed to be the oldest living person. She was born Nov. 22, 1892.
On Wednesday, having spent just a month as the world's oldest person, he died at his home on the northern coast of Puerto Rico, his grandniece, Dolores Martinez told The Associated Press. He was 115.
"He died like a little angel," Martinez said.
Mercado del Toro never married and had no children.
In the seaside town of Isabela, he became a local celebrity after he was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for his longevity.
"We're all crying, but we knew this day would come," said town spokeswoman Rosa Luciano.
Mercado del Toro, who was born on Aug. 21, 1891, became the oldest known person in the world last month when 116-year-old Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bolden died in December in a nursing home in Tennessee.
A 114-year-old Connecticut woman, Emma Faust Tillman, is now believed to be the oldest living person. She was born Nov. 22, 1892.
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George
posted 3/19/07 @ 3:12 PM MST
WOW!! Thats a record!! its going to be hard to top that one. I never wanna die its to hard on the ones you love and your friends and family!! I hope that you all do really well if and when you read this. (Continued…)
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