Home » News » Vincent Dransfield, a 109-year-old veteran firefighter living in New Jersey, shares his secret to living a long life: meeting and loving people. Despite his age, he maintains an independent and active lifestyle. Additionally, his street has been renamed in his honor and he is said to be the longest-living volunteer firefighter in the country.
Vincent Dransfield, a 109-year-old veteran firefighter living in New Jersey, shares his secret to living a long life: meeting and loving people. Despite his age, he maintains an independent and active lifestyle. Additionally, his street has been renamed in his honor and he is said to be the longest-living volunteer firefighter in the country.
NEW YORK. Vincent Dransfield turns 109 today and, according to her granddaughter, Erica Lista, she has an enviable memory and health. Furthermore, she has no reservations in sharing her secret to achieving such a long life.
Since 1945, the veteran of the Fire Department has lived in a two-story house in Little Falls and leads an independent life He drives his car and goes to the supermarket every week, he washes his clothes himself.
Despite its age, the No. 3 Singac Volunteer Fire Company still maintains your name on the list of firefighters. Eight decades ago he served in that first responders and, in 2014, a plaque was unveiled in his honor, on his 100th birthday.
Honors he received before his 109th birthday
Also, the street you live onWoodside Avenue, was renamed Chief Vincent Dransfield Way, in his honour, and an entire wall in the fire station was also dedicated to him.
According to the family, he is said to be the longest-living volunteer firefighter in the country. And Dransfield, who was born in Paterson in 1914, is believed to be the longest-living New Jersey resident to date.
His only medical condition is arthritis and his granddaughter assured local media that the doctors are surprised to see the good health of “Vince”, as they know him in their city.
His secret to reach 109 years
He has a daughter, three grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. His wife of 54 years, Ann, died in 1992.
Among his anecdotes, he tells that, when the Second World War broke out, he was working as a manager of a company that supplied condoms to US troops abroad and that this saved him from being drafted into military service, since his work was classified as a civil defense post.
When asked what the secret to such a long life is, he says: “It’s just meeting people and love people, that’s all. That’s what makes you live longer.”
And there is something else: he assures that it is important keep a good sense of humor. “That’s good. It gets you a lot. If you’re nasty and angry, you’re not going anywhere.”
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