| Otello Pomponi | |
 Otello Pomponi at the age of 109. | |
| Birth: | 4 February 1908 Sorano, Tuscany, Italy |
| Death: | 26 December 2017 Versilia, Tuscany, Italy |
| Age: | 109 years, 325 days |
| Country: |  ITA
|
| Centenarian | |
Otello Pomponi (4 February 1908 – 26 December 2017) was an Italian centenarian who, at the time of his death, was the second-oldest living man in Italy behind Andrea Lattari (who was only 25 days his senior).
Biography
Otello Pomponi was born on 4 February 1908 in Sorano, Tuscany, Italy, as the second child of his parents, Vincenzo Pomponi and Sebia Rossi. His father was a shoemaker. Otello and his family heard the echoes of the 1908 Messina Earthquake, which occurred when Otello was 10 months old.
At the age of 19, Otello enrolled in the Guardia di Finanza, an Italian law enforcement agency. He travelled all over Italy before coming back to Tuscany and meeting a woman named Linda Ceccotti. In 1933, Otello and Linda were married. The couple had two children: Pierpaolo and Annalisa.
In 1940, Otello was assigned to the Belocchio Brigade in World War 2. The brigade was tasked with coastal defence. However, they were captured by the Germans on 8 September of that year and taken prisoner. On 13 February 1943, the camp was bombed by the Allies and the prisoners managed to escape. All roads and railways had been destroyed, meaning Otello had to walk home. It took him six months.
After World War 2 ended, Otello remained in the Guardia di Finanza until 1956. His wife Linda died at the age of 102, leaving Otello a widower. On his 109th birthday in 2017, he expressed the desire to reach his 110th birthday.
Otello Pomponi died on 26 December 2017 in Versilia, Tuscany, Italy, at the age of 109 years, 325 days. He was the oldest man ever from Tuscany until his age was surpassed by Tripolino Giannini
References
- Ha 109 anni l'uomo più longevo della Toscana La Nazione
- Il nonno di Toscana ha compiuto 109 anni Il Tirreno