Sometimes it’s the simple things in life that help us keep going when others haven’t quite made it as far. Vincent Dransfield, at 110 years old, still leads a remarkably active and independent life in Little Falls, NJ. He drives daily to get coffee and buy lunch, living independently in the house he’s owned since 1945. His grandchildren visit weekly with groceries and call him every other day, but Dransfield requires no help with daily living.

Dransfield’s health is impressive, with only minor aches and pains typical for his age. He navigates his home’s main floor, upstairs bedroom, and basement laundry without difficulty. When asked how he feels at 110, Dransfield jokes that he’s ready to put on boxing gloves and box.

I manage to do everything,” he said. I drive pretty good.”

Dransfield’s driving skills remain sharp, as noted by his granddaughter Erica Lista.”He drives completely fine — better than some other people I see.” Family, friends, and doctors are amazed by his longevity. When he required an endoscopy, the medical staff were stunned to learn he’d only had anesthesia once before in his life. Lista recalls the anesthesiologist’s hands shaking when administering the medication.

Vincent Dransfield stands in front of the fire department where he spent 80 years volunteering. Photo courtesy of Dransfield

Living to 100 is rare, especially for men, who make up only 15% of centenarians, according to the New England Centenarian Study. Supercentenarians, those who live to 110 or older, are even rarer, with men constituting only about 10%. Dransfield, born on March 28, 1914, is currently the 8th oldest man in the world, as per the Gerontology Research Group.

A Life of Health and Happiness

Dransfield attributes his longevity to several key factors:

• Spend time doing what you love: Dransfield spent more than 80 years in the local volunteer fire department, where he made many friends. Even after retiring as fire chief, he remained active at the firehouse, which he considers his second family. His professional life included 60 years as an auto parts manager.
• Milk does a body good: Leaving school in 8th grade, Dransfield worked on a dairy farm where he drank plenty of milk. He believes this gave him a healthy start. Today, he still enjoys milk, specifically Ovaltine, which he credits for his longevity.
• Stay active: Dransfield stayed fit through his work with the fire department rather than structured exercise. He finds amusement in jogging, asking, “Where are they running to?”
• Enjoy what you eat: Dransfield enjoys a varied diet, including Italian food, hamburgers, and sweets, without ever having to watch his weight. He still cooks for himself, mainly heating up prepared meals or buying food from a local restaurant.
• It’s never too late to fix a bad habit: Dransfield started smoking at 50 but quit about 20 years later by simply throwing away his cigarettes and never smoking again.
• Stay positive: Dransfield considers himself an optimist with a great sense of humor. He believes knowing and loving people contributes to his longevity. “I keep positive. I never think any other way when something’s wrong,” he notes.

Dransfield has one child, three grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. He was married for 54 years until his wife passed away in 1992. Recently, family, friends, and firefighters gathered to celebrate his 110th birthday at the firehouse where he once served as chief. Lista expressed joy in seeing how many people admire her grandfather, saying, “It’s just so heartwarming to see how many people think he’s as special as we do.”

Source: The Today Show