Frank Scarrabelotti | |
Birth: | 4 August 1897 Bungawalbin, New South Wales, Australia |
Death: | 12 June 2007 Bangalow, New South Wales, Australia |
Age: | 109 years, 312 days |
Country: | AUS |
Centenarian |
Francesco "Frank" Scarrabelotti (4 August 1897 – 12 June 2007) was an Australian centenarian who, at the time of his death, was the oldest living man in Australia as well as the second-oldest Australian man ever, behind Jack Lockett.
Biography[]
Scarrabelotti was born in Bungawalbin, New South Wales, Australia, on 4 August 1897 as one of 12 children born Italian immigrants Michael and Zelinda Scarrabelotti, who arrived in Australia in 1880. He witnessed Halley’s Comet in 1910, and worked as a dairy farmer in the nearby town of Nashua as an adult. During the 1930s, he aided with the construction of a church in Bangalow. In 1953, he married a woman named Nell, who was 27 years his junior. They had two daughters: Mary and Helen.
In the 1960s or late 1970s (sources differ), Scarrabelotti and his family moved to the Bangalow township where he maintained a rose garden. He was an avid horseman, as well as enjoying rugby, playing the violin, reading the local newspaper and attending mass every Sunday. On 22 February 2005, then aged 107, he became the oldest man in Australia following the death of 108-year-old Sydney Bond of Queensland.
On his 109th birthday, he was asked his secret to a long life. He replied with “Well, I always work under the four F's: faith, family, friends and good food. I have a marvellous wife and two wonderful daughters who tend to every need I require. Apart from that I drink everything in moderation.”
Scarrabelotti died on 12 June 2007 at the age of 109 years, 312 days. He was survived by his wife, his two daughters, two grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. His funeral was held in the same church that he helped to build. His successor as the oldest man in Australia was John Campbell Ross (1899 - 2009).
References[]
- Francesco Scarrabelotti Geni
- Love still makes his world go round, after 109 years The Northern Star, 4 August 2006
- Australia's oldest man dies at 109 The Northern Star, 13 June 2007
- A long and fortunate life comes to a gentle close The Sydney Morning Herald, 19 June 2007
Australia's Oldest Living Man Titleholders (V • E) |
Robert Hewson • Gordon Williams • Frederick McGill • Bill Wallace • Robert McMieken • Kosta Malco • James Wright • Robert Jordan • Jack Lockett • Francis Kelly • William Caddy • Sydney Bond • Frank Scarrabelotti • John Campbell Ross • Claude Choules • James Hope • Anthony Hoffman • Fred Lunghusen • Alfred Date • Alfred Powell • Hilton Nunn • Dexter Kruger • Frank Mawer • Ken Weeks |