Funeral services for Fred Hale, the world’s oldest man, will be held Tuesday at Hobbs Funeral Home in South Portland, Maine. Hale, who would have turned 114 on December 1, will be buried in Farmington, Maine. Although he moved to suburban Syracuse, NY a few years ago to be closer to his son, Fred Jr., he had spent over a century living and working in Maine.

Hale was born in 1890 in New Sharon, Maine. He worked as a railway postal clerk until his retirement in 1957. His wife, the former Flor Mooers, died in 1979. In Syracuse, he became a local celebrity and told reporters that he didn't really believe he was the oldest man, but said, 'I ain't going to die just to satisfy them.' He still had a valid driver's license, making him the worlds oldest driver as well! His license expires in 2008.

To put Hale’s life into perspective, he was born before television, radio, talking movies, telephones, and air travel. He witnessed two world wars, the Korean conflict, Vietnam and two rounds of fighting in the Middle East. He watched 21 presidents lead the United States. He was also one of the few people to witness the Boston Red Sox win a World Series (he was 27 when they won the last time in 1918).

Fred is survived by two of his five children, nine grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren. His funeral will be Tuesday in South Portland, Maine.

With Fred's death, the 'title' passes to Hermann Dornemann of Germany, a retired electrical engineer who is 111. Dornemann, who lives with his children, says that the secret to his longevity is a daily glass of dark beer. Long live Hermann!