Frank Mawer, Australia’s oldest man, dies aged 110 after contracting Covid ❤️
Australia’s oldest man Frank Mawer has died aged 110 after contracting Covid-19.
Mr Mawer died in his sleep over the weekend at the home of his son Philp on the NSW South Coast, where he had been living following a fall.
He turned 110 on August 15 having taken over the mantle of Australia’s oldest man in July last year. Mr Mawer was the second oldest Australian.
Mr Mawer’s son Barry said his father had contracted Covid-19 a few weeks ago, and the illness had weakened him.
“He went to have his afternoon nap on Saturday afternoon and never woke up,” Barry said.
“He lived life to the full even in recent months. He insisted on sitting up for meals, he did his exercises every day, and had plenty of visitors.”
Mr Mawer was born in Sydney in 1912, before the outbreak of World War I, one of 10 children. After a rough start where his twin died at birth, his mother died when he was 12 and he was made a ward of the state, he forged a long career as a builder.
He and wife of 70 years Elizabeth had six children, and after Elizabeth died in 2011 aged 92 he lived independently for the rest of his life, with in-home support. By the time he died his family had grown to 13 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Only in the last year did Mr Mawer become frail enough that he needed to move in with Philip.
Two years ago Mr Mawer explained his secret to a long life – no smoking, drinking or gambling.
“These are three things you can choose. The way you live makes a difference,” he said.
Mr Mawer’s final years were eased with the help of in-home care services through HammondCare.
“Frank was the most inspiring individual, a gracious man and a man of faith,” HammondCare chief executive Mike Baird said.
This article was first published in The Australian by Stephen Lunn on 20-September 2022. Read article
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