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Reg Dean, Britain's oldest man, dies aged 110 Reg Dean, Britain's oldest man, dies aged 110
(about 2 hours later)
Britain's oldest man has died at the age of 110 years and 63 days.Britain's oldest man has died at the age of 110 years and 63 days.
Former church minister Reg Dean lived through two world wars and 24 British prime ministers.Former church minister Reg Dean lived through two world wars and 24 British prime ministers.
Mr Dean, who was born in Staffordshire on 4 November 1902, died on Saturday at his home in Wirksworth, Derbyshire, his friend John Neaum said. Born in Tunstall, Staffordshire, on 4 November 1902, Mr Dean died at his home in Wirksworth, Derbyshire, on Saturday.
The former army chaplain became Britain's oldest man after the death of 110-year-old Stanley Lucas, from Cornwall, in June 2010.The former army chaplain became Britain's oldest man after the death of 110-year-old Stanley Lucas, from Cornwall, in June 2010.
Love and affection He was married three times and had one son and two grandchildren.
Mr Dean was stationed in Burma during World War II, where he served as army chaplain. John Neaum, who met Mr Dean in the 1960s when they set up a local theatre group, said his close friend was a "multi-talented" character, who wrote short stories, founded the Dalesmen Male Voice Choir and took up painting at the age of 80.
He moved to Derbyshire in 1947 after living for a short period in Stratford-on-Avon. 'Lazy bones'
Mr Dean became ordained in to the Church of England in the 1920s and served as an army chaplain in Burma during World War II. He met his first wife in Asia, but she later died.
He moved to Derbyshire in 1947 and met his second wife, with whom he had a son, Christopher.
In 1958, he became a teacher at Herbert Strutt School in Belper, Derbyshire, where he worked for 10 years.In 1958, he became a teacher at Herbert Strutt School in Belper, Derbyshire, where he worked for 10 years.
Mr Dean continued to work as a minister until his retirement at the age of 80. He was married three times. Mr Dean was proud of bringing Fair Trade to Wirksworth, having set up a shop in the home he shared with his third wife, Mr Neaum said.
Speaking to the BBC last year, Mr Dean said: "My first wife was 10 years younger, my second was 20 [years younger], and my third was 30 [years] younger. It's an amazing statement, but true." He was a vegetarian for more than 30 years and continued to work as a minister until his retirement at the age of 80.
Mr Neaum said his friend inspired a lot of love and affection and was always looking for the best in people. Mr Dean said the secret of his longevity was being lazy.
He wrote short stories, set up The Dalesmen Male Voice Choir and took up painting at the age of 80. Speaking at a party for his 109th birthday, he said: "I'm a member of the august fellowship known as 'lazy bones'."
Mr Neaum said he would particularly remember his friend for his wonderful use of language. Mr Dean had been living for some years at Waltham House, which is an extra care scheme for older people run by Housing 21.
Mr Dean said in November the secret of his longevity was being lazy. Helen Hart, locality manager, said: "We are very sad to hear of the death of Reg Dean.
Speaking at a party for his 109th birthday he said: "I'm a member of the august fellowship known as 'lazy bones'." "He was an inspiration to us all and will be greatly missed."