| Theodor Thomassen | |
 Thomassen on his 107th birthday in 2015 | |
| Birth: | 28 October 1908 Sorvagur, Faroe Islands |
| Death: | 9 March 2016 Sorvagur, Faroe Islands |
| Age: | 107 years, 133 days |
| Country: |  FRO, DEN
|
| Centenarian | |
Theodor Thomassen (28 October 1908 – 9 March 2016) was a Faroese centenarian who is the oldest known person ever from the Faroe Islands, dying at the age of 107 years, 133 days.
Biography
Theodor Thomassen was born on 28 October 1908 in Sorvagur, Faroe Islands. In 1940, he married Nencia Hansen and had 10 children with her. The couple built several houses during their 47-year marriage. Aside from house building, Theodor worked as a craftsman. His wife Nencia died in 1987, leaving Theodor a widower.
Theodor also had his own shop near his home in Sorvagur. He had his own boat which he would go fishing in along the coast until he was 95 years old. He also was a Sunday School teacher for many years.
In October 2008, Theodor celebrated his 100th birthday and became a centenarian. During his centenarian years, he lived with his daughter Elisa.
He became the oldest known living man and person in Faroe Islands, following the death of 103-year-old Joen Sofus Hansen on 10 February 2011.
On his 105th birthday in 2013, Theodor said that he did not expect to reach such an age due to his father dying aged 48, and one of his uncles only lived until he was 31. On 17 September 2014, when he reached the age of 105 years, 324 days, he surpassed the age of Johannes Tauser (1902–2008) and became the oldest Faroese man (and person) ever.
Theodor was also asked what he had eaten during his life. He replied that he had caught fish in his boat and eaten it in all sorts of ways (dried, salted, fresh, etc.) and also made fish meatballs and buns. He had always eaten a lot of grind (meat and sprouts from grindehval).
On his 107th birthday in 2015, he had around 100 descendants. He was asked his secret to his long life. His reply was that he had no secret, but he quoted two verses from the Danish hymn, Tag Jesus med, written by Adolf Langsted in 1895:
- Tag Jesus med, hvorhen du længes,
- da bliver du så let i sind.
- Og hvor din frelser ude stænges,
- der skal du ikke selv gå ind.
- Tag Jesus med hvorhen du farer,
- så skal du aldrig fare vild.
- Da vogter på dig engleskarer,
- om verden lukker øjet til!
Theodor Thomassen died in in Sorvagur, Faroe Islands on 9 March 2016 at the age of 107 years, 133 days. He was buried six days later, on 15 March 2016. His successor as the oldest known living person in the Faroese was a then-103-year-old Laura Hojgaard (born on 2 July 1912, died on 13 January 2018) and the oldest known living man in the Faroes was a then-100-year-old -old Anonymous man (born in September 1915, died in October 2016).
References
- Uppskriftin er at vera fornøjaður KVF, 28 October 2013
- 107 eftirkomarar: Føroya elsti 105 ár í dag KVF, 28 October 2013
- Theodor Thomassen er elsti føroyingur nakrantíð in.fo, 28 October 2014
- Føroya elsti: Í dag fyllir hann 107 ár KVF, 28 October 2015
- Elsti føroyingurin deyður KVF, 10 March 2016
| Faroe Islands’ Oldest Living Person Titleholders (V • E) |
|
Anna Askham • Margrethe Egholm • Unidentified (Runavik) • Anna Malene Weihe • Joen Sofus Hansen • Theodor Thomassen • Laura Hojgaard • Daniella Olsen • Malla Olsen • Kala Jensen • Sylvia Berg |