Gilbert Ellis, Belize’s Oldest Man, Dies at 109

Gilbert "Bertie" Ellis, the oldest known living person in Belize, passed away on 8 August, at the age of 109 years, 318 days.

Gilbert Winston Ellis was born on 24 September 1916 in Belize City, Belize (then British Honduras), to Maud Ferrell and Scot Ellis. He was the father of 19 children, most of whom reside in the United States.

In 1936, Ellis began working for the Santiago Castillo Company, where he served for 45 years before retiring in 1981. Starting as an entry-level laborer, he steadily advanced to the position of chief warehouse keeper. In 1967, he was appointed Justice of the Peace and later served as chairman of the Social Welfare Board for four years. He also chaired the Rent Assessment Board. Among his notable achievements was serving as the first president of the Harmony Housing Association, founded in the 1950s with 15 members.

Ellis was also well known in the Belizean community for his athletic contributions. He gained recognition as both a batsman and bowler in cricket, becoming captain of the Rovers cricket team in 1938. After four years with the Rovers, he joined the Sussex team. Beyond cricket, he was the first president of the Amateur Boxing Association, captained a domino team, and was later inducted into the Cricket Hall of Fame.

On 22 February 2025, at the age of 108 years, 148 days, he surpassed the final age of Leonora Patnett (1913–2022), becoming the oldest (known) person ever to have lived in Belize. On 27 July 2026, at the age of 109 years, 303 days, he surpassed the final age of Alice Banner (1915–2024), becoming the oldest (known) person ever born in Belize.

This photo was taken on 28 September 2025 after her cliamed 110th Birthday:

She was likely born on 21 September 1929, instead of 1915.

https://www.greaterbelize.com/gilbert-mr-bertie-ellis-turns-109-a-new-belizean-record/

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid038Dap6ZBFBFPWunQ29uCdxyWngeoHJUQQTQBSLQJLHdvKSehFeXKsd6b7z3M8aDPfl&id=61557950264583

https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/33789636/alice-banner

https://longeviquest.com/2024/10/oldest-belizean-woman-alice-banner-turns-109/

OLDEST BELIZEAN WOMAN, ALICE BANNER, TURNS 109

Alice Banner, the oldest Belizean woman, turns 109 years old.

Alice Banner, who currently resides in Brooklyn, New York, United States, celebrated her 109th birthday. Living and surviving through two World Wars, the Belizean centenarian is currently recognized as the oldest woman in Belize.

She was born on 13 October 1915 in Lemonal, Belize District, Belize. 

No one here is his doctor and even if they were, it would be confidential information, around which he has protections.

Equally, far younger people than him have exhibited this condition over time.

But why not just stay away from these kinds of personal speculations.

Fair enough, but I was simply wondering if maybe some previous news articles or something like that discussed this topic. Sometimes they might discuss extremely old people's health and their various issues.

No one here is his doctor and even if they were, it would be confidential information, around which he has protections.

Equally, far younger people than him have exhibited this condition over time.

But why not just stay away from these kinds of personal speculations.

Apologies for asking, but is his chronically old age the reason that he suffers from this condition?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitiligo

Or it is due to some other factor(s)?