Mr. Ilie Ciocan of Bratia din Vale, Galicea, Vâlcea County, Romania, sadly passed away on 27 May 2026, aged 112.

He was born in the village of Cremenari, Vâlcea County, Romania, on 10 June [O.S. 28 May] 1913.

On 30 January 2024, following the death of 111-year-old Japanese veteran Tsuneji Oyama, he became the world’s oldest known living World War II veteran.

On 13 August 2024, following the death of 111-year-old Briton John Farringdon, he became the last surviving European man born in 1913.

On 25 November 2024, after the death of 112-year-old Briton John Tinniswood, Ciocan became the Oldest Living Man in Europe.

On 16 January 2025, at the age of 111 years and 220 days, Ciocan surpassed the final age of Dumitru Comănescu (1908–2020), who lived to 111 years and 219 days, becoming the oldest validated man — and the oldest validated person — in Romanian history. Two Romanian emigrants, Istvánné Fejes and Barbara Poth, however, lived longer. On 12 April 2025, Ciocan surpassed Fejes’s final age, becoming the oldest known person ever born in Romania. In June, he became the first documented Romanian to reach the age of 112.

On 5 October 2025, after the death of 112-year-old Josino Levino Ferreira, Ciocan became the 2nd World Oldest Living Man.

His age was validated by LongeviQuest on 7 November 2025.

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The hero who defied time has left us. Ilie Ciocan, the veteran from Galicia, passed away one day before his 113th birthday.

The commune of Galicea and the entire Vâlcea county are in mourning after the disappearance of Ilie Ciocan, the war veteran who had become a symbol of longevity and of an almost extinct generation. The sad news was announced by the mayor of the commune, Florin Alexandru Mărăcine, who sent a message of condolences and tribute to the man considered by many to be a true landmark of the community.

Ilie Ciocan passed away just one day before his 113th birthday, leaving behind not only a grieving family, but also the feeling that with him an important page in the history of the place was closing. He was one of the last people who could tell, from his own experience, what war means, sacrifice and the hardships of an era that today seems almost impossible to imagine.

A Life of a Century of History

Born in the summer of 1913, in the commune of Galicea, Ilie Ciocan saw the world change radically over the course of an extraordinary existence. He grew up in rural Romania, in a time when life was simple but harsh, and work began at a young age. Life did not offer him privileges, but it formed a strong character, built around discipline, modesty and respect for work.

His youthful years would be overshadowed by one of the most dramatic moments in human history. He participated in World War II, living experiences that left their mark on his entire life. Like many veterans of his generation, he did not often speak of the horrors of the front, but those close to him said that he always carried in his heart the memory of his lost comrades and the trials he went through.

For him, the war was not a reason for praise, but a duty that he carried out to the end. However, he remained with deep respect for the uniform, for the country, and for the people who went through the same hardships.

The veteran who became a symbol

In recent years, the name of Ilie Ciocan has gone beyond the borders of Vâlcea County. His impressive age and his life story have transformed him into a symbol of resistance and longevity. People looked at him with admiration not only for his years lived, but also for the lucidity, calmness and modesty with which he lived his life.

Although he had become known throughout the country, he remained the same simple man, tied to his birthplace and the quiet life in Galicia. He never sought notoriety and did not turn his past into a reason for personal glory. For those who knew him, he was, above all, "Uncle Ilie", the man who always had a calm speech and a serene look.

Last year, the county authorities decided to grant him the title of honorary citizen of Vâlcea County, a gesture by which they wanted to recognize both his merits as a veteran and the example of a life lived with dignity.

A lesson about time, patience and dignity

Ilie Ciocan's death is felt today as the loss of a living witness to history. Few people have the chance to cross more than a century, to see wars, political changes, technological transformations and entire generations growing up before their eyes.

In an era in which everything seems to be consumed quickly, Ilie Ciocan's life remains a lesson in patience, strength and continuity. He was a man who lived almost 113 years, but who maintained his discretion and modesty until the end.
The community of Galicia loses a veteran, Vâlcea County loses a symbol, and Romania loses one of the last representatives of a generation that experienced the hardships of war firsthand.

Ilie Ciocan is gone, but his story will remain long in the memory of those who knew him and those who understood that true heroes never seek applause.

Rest in peace, Mr. Ciocan.