| Jack Coe | |
 Coe in 2014 | |
| Birth: | 11 May 1916 Bulls, Manawatu-Whanganui, New Zealand |
| Death: | 14 May 2023 Taupo, Waikato, New Zealand |
| Age: | 107 years, 3 days |
| Country: |  NZL
|
| Centenarian | |
Harry James Jack Coe (11 May 1916 – 14 May 2023) was a New Zealand centenarian and World War II veteran who was the oldest known living man in New Zealand at the time of his death.
Biography[]
Early Life[]
Jack Coe was born in a tent in Bulls, Manawatu-Whanganui, New Zealand, on 11 May 1916. As a baby, he lived in a tent. In his youth, he and his sister Myrtle rode horseback into Bulls with their parents.
Coe's father worked as a stock drover and was well-known in the local farming community for his handling of stock, but he later died while on the job.
At the age of 16, Coe became a painter, working for the well-known local painter Sid Goebel. He would bike to work with a ladder over his shoulder.
Coe lived almost his whole life in Marton and Bulls, with the exception of military service during World War II, when he trained for service in Blenheim and Porirua before being shipped off to the Pacific. He ended up in New Caledonia on heavy artillery, defending an American Air Force base. He was a lifelong member of the Marton RSA.
Coe was married to his wife Thora. The couple built a house at Marton Junction in 1950. There, he had a painting and decorating business, and the couple raised their two children, Peter and Valerie.
Later Life and Death[]
Coe retired as a painter at the age of 64. He had memories of traveling to Santoft Beach on a four-horse wagon to collect logs and firewood. His favorite pastimes were hunting and fishing. He continued to go fishing until the age of 100.
Coe enjoyed chopping firewood and taking walks into town for coffee and biscuits regularly. He credited his longevity to having beer and caramel popcorn, as well as walking and staying active. He never slept during the day, and disliked watching television and listening to the radio.
Following the death of 107-year-old Laurence Reynolds on 17 May 2022, Coe became the oldest known living man in New Zealand.
Four months before his 107th birthday in 2023, Coe moved into the St. Johns Wood Care Centre and Village in Taupo, Waikato, when his health had started to decline. Up until then, he was living independently in his home in Marton, Manawatu-Whanganui.
Jack Coe died on 14 May 2023, three days after his 107th birthday. Following his death, then-106-year-old James Easton became the oldest known living man in New Zealand.
Gallery[]
References[]
- 102-year-old says the secret to a long life is walking Whanganui Chronicle, 31 July 2018
- Anzac Day observed with a flyover and unveiling at Ōhakea Whanganui Chronicle, 25 April 2022
- At 106, Jack Coe still chops his own firewood and says he's too young for a rest home Stuff, 9 July 2022
- New Zealand’s oldest man Jack Coe celebrates 107th birthday Rotorua Daily Post, 10 May 2023
- New Zealand's oldest man Jack Coe celebrates 107th birthday Newshub, 11 May 2023
- World War II Veteran Reveals Secret To Long Life After Turning 107 NY Breaking, 12 May 2023
- NZ’s oldest man Jack Coe dies two days after his 107th birthday New Zealand Herald, 14 May 2023
- New Zealand's oldest man Jack Coe dies days after celebrating 107th birthday Newshub, 15 May 2023
- Harry COE Obituary Manawatu Standard, 18 May 2023
- Harry James Jack Coe Cenotaph Auckland War Memorial Museum
| New Zealand's Oldest Living Man Titleholders (V • E) |
|
Christopher Murray • Alexander Hughes • Maxwell Wallenstein • Wesley Firth • Frederick Fox • David Orange • Thomas Salmon • Allan Watkins • Edward Leigh • Arthur Bates • William Swensson • Charles Campbell • Hubert Harden • William Hayes • James Hill • Lawrence Blyth • Bright Williams • Cecil Hamilton • Ernest Ryland • Trevor Henry • Harold Clark • Dudley Sainsbury • Taiwung Yu Hoi • Harry Andrews • Ian Chirnside • Bob Edwards • Howard Buss • Ronald Hermanns • Bill Mitchell • Laurence Reynolds • Jack Coe • James Easton • Lloyd Geering |