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Jack Coe’s is one of those stories that could inspire a movie. He was born in a tent in Gorton St. Bulls on May 11, 1916, at the height of the World War, and lived virtually his entire life – until the age of 107 – in the New Zealand towns of Marton and Bulls. During World War II, he ended up defending a U.S. Air Force base in New Caledonia, and was a life member of the Marton RSA (supporting New Zealand veterans).
On Thursday he celebrated his 107th birthday with a birthday card from King Charles, a piece of caramel popcorn cake and a non-alcoholic beer alongside family, friends and other residents at St. John Wood Care Center and Village (Taupo). The NZ Herald echoed his celebration as New Zealand’s longest living man, and thousands of people congratulated him and wished him well on his day (some of them via this Instagram post).
The menu of eternal youth
“What’s the secret to living to be over 100?” they asked. And Coe confessed his curious ‘elixir’ for eternal youth: popcorn with caramel and beer. “He had a large vegetable garden and always ate homegrown vegetables,” added to the menu his son, Peter Coe, who also revealed that his father took a multivitamin complex.
Until a few months ago, Jack lived in his own home in Marton – which he built with his wife Thora in 1950 – but had moved to Taupo because of his declining health and to be closer to his son. According to the NZ Herald, until then he had lived independently, collecting his own firewood and walking to Marton town for a cup of coffee and a snack. He had a painting and decorating business, and loved to fish and hunt, activities he continued to pursue until he was 100 years old.
In fact, on his birthday he only regretted not being able to go fishing. Two days after blowing out the candles on his caramel popcorn cake, Jack Coe passed away. The flag still flies at half-mast at Marton RSA.
