Barbadian is second oldest man in world

Fri Mar 01, 2013

The world’s second oldest man, Barbadian James Sisnet turned 113 last Friday and marked the milestone surrounded by generations of his family.{{more}}

Seven of Sisnett’s eight children, and another four generations of nieces, nephews and cousins from Barbados and abroad joined friends to toast the super centenarian at a family luncheon at the Brown Sugar Restaurant where the former blacksmith and sugar factory engineer sipped a brandy in his wheelchair.

Sisnett’s eldest child Everine Lett Carter who flew in from the United States for the occasion, said she was “very proud and happy to have him alert mentally although he is a little weak in the body.”

Carter said when she called her father at Ocean View Nursing home in Barbados when he resides, to enquire what he wanted to do for his birthday, he was definite in his request to be “taken out”, and she added she and the family were delighted to accede since it was “a privilege to have him reach 113, and he can communicate with us and say what his desires are.”

Sisnett has been verified as the oldest man alive in the western hemisphere and the second oldest after 115-year-old Japanese Jiroemon Kimura. Researchers from the California-based research company Acron Cell Biotech Company have been carrying out research on his longevity.

Though he is assisted by a wheel chair,Sisnett is alert, with good eyesight, following successful cataract surgery at age 110, and he has a hearty appetite. Yesterday, giving credence to an earlier declaration of his love and preference for “ground food” (ground provisions) , the super centenarian enjoyed a plate of cou cou and flying fish from the sumptuous buffet served up for his birthday. (GC – The Nation)