Talk:List of surviving veterans of World War I

Harry Patch heart warmer

A slightly more unusual activity here, guest of honour at a pub re-opening. Harry Patch is certainly mischievous!

http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/latestheadlines/display.var.1873433.0.last_ww1_survivor_is_guest_of_honour.php

RichyBoy (talk) 10:24, 11 December 2007 (UTC)

First they call him the last trench veteran and then get his age wrong. The first mistake could be explained by British-centrism, but come on, do your research. Sometimes I wonder why we bother. 80.2.16.73 (talk) 03:21, 12 December 2007 (UTC)Captain celery

• Heh well, I wouldn't treat wiki as anything more than light reading. You'd be bonkers to do any proper research around it. RichyBoy (talk) 10:29, 12 December 2007 (UTC)

Carmelo Bertolami - no cite?

I went to add Carmelo Bertolami to the list of Recent Deaths for November 4 2007, but in the process realized that there is no independent cite for his death anywhere. Does anyone have one? Should he be reinstated? Thank you for your help! Susan Gleason (talk) 20:13, 11 December 2007 (UTC)

The same thing happened to me. I wouldn't reinstate him, since he's been taken off Genarians, but maybe they're taking their cues from here. 80.2.16.73 (talk) 03:21, 12 December 2007 (UTC)Captain celery

• Thanks, Cap'n Celery. It does get circular sometimes! Susan Gleason (talk) 15:31, 12 December 2007 (UTC)

Russell Coffey

He was removed from the list and death date Dec, 20 2007 appeared on his wiki page, but no one ever add him to 2007 WWI veterans death list. Are there any references for his death? His name have to go somewhere - or here or on on death list. Cheers. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 83.10.105.211 (talk) 11:37, 21 December 2007 (UTC)

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071221/NEWS13/712210402 would be a good reference for his death. RichyBoy (talk) 12:41, 21 December 2007 (UTC)

OK then. I've just put him on 2007 deaths and changes total numbers. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 83.10.105.211 (talk) 13:23, 21 December 2007 (UTC)

Archive Volume 4

I've archived the discussion page as it was getting a bit long, if there are any subjects that you wish to re-discuss please copy and paste them out of the archive back onto this page. RichyBoy (talk) 12:53, 21 December 2007 (UTC)

J. Russell Coffey Memorial Service

Today I attended the Memorial and Funeral Services for J. Russell Coffey; the Memorial was preceded by a one hour socialization period at the funeral home and the burial was preceded by a seven gun salute (each of the seven American Legionnaire gunners firing three shots with an M-14 rifle). Attendance was sufficient but not enormous; consisting mostly of people who knew him as a College Professor or Rotarian as well as the local American Legion Post and of course, family members. Intersetingly I learned that his 84 year old daughter had died about two months ago. I felt a bit out of place as I was merely someone who had learned of him through the media and then went and visited him. I did meet the director of the Bowling Green, Ohio Rotary Club at the socialization period; I had called that diector on the telephone earier this year to talk with him about Mr. Coffey.

In many ways Mr. Coffey was the textbook example of what one would expect of a centenarian based upon literature on that subject. He was small bodied (probably no more than 5'5" tall; 1.64 meters for those used to SI measurements) and thin (probably only weighing about 115 lbs. or 52 kgs.), of course all elderly people shrink so he may have been bigger when younger; nevertheless he fit the general physical profile of someone who lived a long time. He kept active as long as possible; only in the last two years was he forced to really rest. A small body is simply easier on it's organs while activity keeps the organs in working order for a longer period of time. He also fit the general psychological profile of most known centenarians; the people delivering the eulogies commented about his easy going manner, sense of humor, spiritualism, and desire to help his community. A less stressful life is easier on ones health.

Some interesting coincidences: He lived for 109 years and 110 days. I first met him at 12:30 P.M. (Eastern U.S.A. time) on May 4th, 2006; at that time I was 13,108 days and 13 hours old. His birthdate of Sept. 1st, 1898 made him 39,326 days old on May 4, 2006; but if he were born at 9:30 P.M. on Sept. 1st, 1898 then he would have been 39,325 days and 15 hours old at the time which I met him, exactly three times my age down to the hour at that time! But as I don't know his time of birth I'll just settle for knowing that he was within one day of being thrice my age. Finally, his death on Dec. 20th, 2007 was the day before the Chrysler plant where I work (where Dodge Nitro, Jeep Liberty, and Jeep Wrangler vehicles are made; hence my chat-room handle) shut down for holiday break; giving my co-workers chances to comment since they all have heard me talk about him during the past 19 1/2 months. On my first day off I go to the Memorial services. Several months ago it was predicted by others in this chat-room that he would be among the next WW1 vets to die; that he wouldn't last beyond 2007. They were right, but he probably lived a few months longer than anyone expected.JeepAssembler (talk) 20:31, 22 December 2007 (UTC)JeepAssemblerJeepAssembler (talk) 20:31, 22 December 2007 (UTC)

Serioli dead?

Battista Serioli passed away aged 107 according to this. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Czolgolz (talk • contribs)

Yes indeed, apparently so, but when exactly (the forum message posted dates from December 22nd)? Extremely sexy (talk) 08:15, 31 December 2007 (UTC)

I found an Italian news alert page article of the same date over here, but still no exact date of death, although it does state that his funeral was to take place the very next day, Sunday 23rd. Extremely sexy (talk) 22:57, 31 December 2007 (UTC)

_________________________________________________________________ Just a quick update on Robley Rex. As of December 20th he was alive, and he can still write a lengthy several page letter at 106. However, the answer to my question has been avoided about what year he joined. Though this is no proof, I believe he let the cat out of the bag when he said he joined at age 18. Hence 1919. (PershinBoy) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 209.244.188.174 (talk) 04:45, 2 January 2008 (UTC)

Bibliography

What have happened to the bibliography at surviving verans page? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 217.173.194.10 (talk) 18:14, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

• Somebody had removed the {{reflist}} tag so I've added it back in. RichyBoy (talk) 23:06, 1 January 2008 (UTC)

Last German veteran dead

Dr. Erich Kästner died 1.1.2008. Here is his death notice: http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/2530/file5573fl9.jpg

(ChrisW)