Kenneth "Ken" Weeks
Oldest living person in Australia From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kenneth Loxton Weeks (born 5 October 1913) is an Australian supercentenarian who, at the age of 111 years, 152 days, is the oldest living person in Australia and the second oldest verified man in Australian history.[1]
Kenneth Weeks | |
|---|---|
| Born | 5 October 1913 (age 111 years, 152 days) |
| Occupation(s) | Construction worker, Truck driver, Gasoline station operator, Factory worker, Bus driver and Businessperson |
| Known for |
|
| Spouse |
Jean McPhee
(m. 1941; died 1986) |
| Children | Ian Weeks, Noel Weeks |
He is currently the fourth oldest living man in the world.[2]
Biography
Summarize
Perspective
Early life
Weeks was born on 5 October 1913 at his grandparents' house, located on Dovedale Street in Grafton, New South Wales, near the banks of the Clarence River. He was the first of five children born to Darcy Edwin Weeks and Dorothy Forster (nee Loxton). As a child, his family moved to a riverside farm located in Swan Creek, and he would later attend Grafton High School. After leaving school he worked for the Model Homes Company that did road constructing work, but as he was mechanically minded he followed that up with operating a service station in Brisbane, and in partnership with Charles Alvey in Grafton operated a car dealership. In 1941, at the start of World War II, Weeks married Jean McPhee (1911–1986), and they had two sons, Ian and Noel.[3]
During World War II, he applied to join the Royal Australian Air Force, but at a height of just 1.5 meters, his short stature led to him being turned away. After World War II, he set up a radio and electrical sales and repair business at 59 Prince St, which he operated for several years before later replacing it with a milk bar.[4] Weeks had many occupations throughout his working life, with him working on construction jobs like putting up roads and constructing wartime airfields at Evans Head. He was also a truck driver, a petrol station operator, and an employee at the Grafton Match Factory. After World War II, he set up a radio and electrical sales and repair business at 59 Prince St, which he operated for several years before later replacing it with a milk bar.[4]
Later life
Weeks's wife died in 1986 after 45 years of marriage. Following this he lived independently until the age of 104. Shortly before turning 105, he moved to a nursing home in Grafton.
Ken Weeks currently lives in Clarence Valley, New South Wales, Australia at the age of 111 years, 152 days.
Health and longevity
Longevity
Following the death of 110-year-old Frank Mawer on 17 September 2022, Weeks became the oldest known living man in Australia at almost 109.[5]
In October 2023, he celebrated his 110th birthday and in doing so became a supercentenarian.
Weeks is a fan of Heinz Baked Beans, therefore, on his 110th birthday Heinz commemorated special cans of beans for him.[6]
Following the death of 111-year-old Olga Abate on 5 June 2024, he became the oldest known living person in Australia, turning 111 himself exactly four months later on.[7]
See also
References
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