A PATCHWORK of the Alton community gathered outside Bredoncare in Anstey Road last Friday to say a final farewell to a true great of the town, Bob Weighton.

Spontaneous clapping broke out as a hearse carrying the coffin of the 112-year-old former world’s oldest living man left Brendoncare at 2.30pm on its way to his funeral in Basingstoke.

Joining the show of respect were police officers PC Pete Kelly and PCSO Gemma McKeown, NHS staff from The Wilson Practice, Waitrose staff and many residents – including Joe Phillips, who afterwards spoke to the Herald about his pal Bob.

“He was still active, fit as a fiddle, and enjoying life right up until the end,” said Joe, who first got to know Bob when he was 108, and would frequently bump into his friend in Waitrose.

“Bob was an incredible man. He was a polite, honest gentleman, and the best thing I loved about Bob was that he kept up his interest in politics.

“If you asked him anything he would have an opinion on it and would tell you what he knew.

“He lived through two world wars and would tell me all about his wartime experiences. And despite his age, he was quicker of mind than many people. If you asked him a question, he would answer it there and then. Right up until the end, his brain was still active. He would have been brilliant on Countdown!

“He used to tell me he’d never smoked in his entire life, would only drink the occasional tipple of whisky, and always ate healthily – allowing himself only an occasional fish and chips as a treat.”

The hearse later drove along Church Street and into Greenfields Avenue, before leaving Alton past Butts Green.

Bob has been succeeded as the world’s oldest living man by 111-year-old Dumitru Com?nescu from Romania.