ALTON residents wishing to pay their respects to the world’s oldest man Bob Weighton will be able to do so on the day of his funeral when the hearse will drive slowly through the town.

Robert Grant Pitts Weighton was born on March 29, 1908, and died peacefully on May 28, 2020, and was recognised as the oldest man in the world by Guinness World Records.

His funeral on Friday, June 19, is at Basingstoke Crematorium, and the hearse will drive slowly along Anstey Road at 2.30pm past the Brendoncare Alton care home where Bob lived.

It will then drive along Church Street and into Greenfields Avenue around 2.35 pm, and leave Alton past Butts Green at about 2.40 pm.

Bob led a busy life and in March he said: “ I am very lucky to have been healthy and active throughout my life. I enjoy social activities and like to get outside.

“It is far better to make a friend out of a possible enemy than it is to make an enemy out of a possible friend. This is something I have lived by throughout my life.”

And his friendliness brought tributes from friends, neighbours and family.

Bob’s grandson Magnus Weighton said: “Bob was truly extraordinary, and everyone at Brendoncare made his life so enjoyable and easy. They made a real connection with him. He loved living with them –and I say a huge thanks to all their staff.”

In 1945 Bob moved to Taiwan to teach English – but the language difference wasn’t a problem, said his friend Alan Orme.

Alan said: “He had to teach the English in Japanese, as Taiwan was occupied by Japan until 1945, so he went to Japan for two years and learnt a very difficult language. He was so very clever.

“When he came to give a talk he could, at 109, still stand for 40 minutes and talk without the need for notes.

“He had more hair than me, had good hearing and eyesight, despite being 24 years older, and he largely looked after himself, as well as take a service at the Methodist Church.

“Only recently he had to sit, as a concession to age – but even Bob could not go on for ever, a lesson for us all.

“May his family rejoice in all the good factors in his life – altogether a remarkable and sadly missed man.”

And friends Carolyn and Dave Patey added: “We are so fortunate to have known Bob as a neighbour for years. He was more than a friend, kind and caring, and always interested in whoever he met.

“He had so many fascinating stories about his extraordinary life, and was ahead of his time in his concerns to protect the environment.

“Visiting him was a pleasure, and we will miss him. He left his mark on our family, and we will never forget him.”

Brendoncare Alton general manager Lynne Hewitt added: “We will all miss Bob greatly– it has been a privilege and a pleasure to have spent time with this extraordinary man. We extend our sincerest condolences to his family and friends.”