Definitely seen a lot…

After 116 long years in the world, South African man Fredie Blom has passed away at 116. Born in Eastern Cape in May of 1904, Fredie was considered to be the oldest man in the world, although the claim was never officially verified by the Guiness World Records.

Blom spent most of his life working as a labourer, first working on a farm before moving into construction. And get this, he didn’t retire until he was in his 80s! The man definitely had game. But he didn’t credit his staying active to his long life, stating “There’s only one thing – it’s the man above. He’s got all the power. I have nothing. I can drop over any time but He holds me.”

Throughout his life Fredie definitely saw a lot, seeing his entire family killed by the Spanish flu in 1918 and living through two World Wars as well as apartheid.

Speaking on Blom’s death on behalf of the family, Blom’s grandson said “Two weeks ago oupa [grandfather] was still chopping wood. He was a strong man, full of pride”, but adding that within a few days he went “from a big man to a small person.”

As of now, Jeanne Louise Calment holds the record for the oldest ever person, living to be 122 years and 164 days. Although Fredie was just a couple years off, he definitely made up for it in what he overcame and his hard af mentality. Rest in peace.