Man married for 80 years dies at 105

Bakersfield Californian ^ | 6/15/05 | AP - London

[NormsRevenge]

LONDON (AP) - A British man who with his wife set the record two weeks ago for the world's longest marriage at 80 years died Wednesday at the age of 105, his bishop said.

Percy Arrowsmith and his 100-year-old wife, Florence, celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary and a place in the Guinness Book of World Records on June 1.

Arrowsmith died at his home in Hereford, northwest of London, with his wife by his side.

"Percy and Flo were very happy when I saw them on their anniversary," said the Rev. Anthony Priddis, the bishop of Hereford. "They were still very much in love with each other."

Earlier this month, Guinness World Records recognized the pair as holding records for the longest marriage for a living couple and the oldest aggregate age of a married couple.

The Arrowsmiths, who have three children, six grandchildren and nine great grandchildren, claimed the key to their long marriage was not to go to sleep on an argument.

"We will all be praying for Flo and the family in their grief," Priddis said.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Wife and I will notch 30 years in September. Never had an argument.

[NormsRevenge]

Wife and I will notch 30 years in September. Never had an argument.

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We notch 20 next week. Wish I could say same. ;-)

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In this file picture provided by Percy Arrowsmith, 105, left, holds the hand of his 100-year-old wife Florence, who are celebrating their 80th wedding anniversary, in Hereford, England, on June 1, 2005. Percy Arrowsmith died at his home in Hereford, northwest of London, with his wife by his side, on Wednesday morning June 15, 2005. On June 1, 2005 Guinness World Records recognized the pair as holding records for the longest marriage for a living couple and the oldest aggregate age of a married couple. (AP Photo/Percy Arrowsmith HO/File)

[garyhope]

Married for 80 years? It probably just seemed longer.

[sgtbono2002]

Kicked off while trying to consummate the anniversary .

[AppyPappy]

Shot climbing out of a brothel window, I hear.

[ErnBatavia]

Assuming they hang in, my parents will celebrate #65 in October.

[Fierce Allegiance]

"Feels like yesterday - under water!"

[Fierce Allegiance]

How much you wanna bet they call it a smoking-related death.

[MarineBrat]

>>Kicked off while trying to consummate the anniversary .

They said that they only "did it" on Sunday mornings... to the slow rythym of the church bells. He'd still be alive today if it weren't for that ice cream truck that drove by.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

That is amazing. I look back at so many of my high school chums who are on their 2nd and 3rd go-around. Feel damed fortunate.

[Millee]

They were just waiting till the grandkids died before they divorced.

[TXnMA]

Prayers for Florence. I can't stand the thought of losing my wife of 43 years; the depth of loss after 80 years of marrriage is literally incomprehensible...

[Publius6961]

Cradlerobber!

[shekkian]

Wife and I will notch 30 years in September. Never had an argument.

Never had an argument? What the he!! kind of a relationship is that?

[reagan_fanatic]

Fantastic. Beautiful. Think of all the history they've lived through together.

[proudofthesouth]

This was the kind of marriage I had hoped to have but didn't.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

"Married for 80 years? It probably just seemed longer."

LOL! We just celebrated our 10th. Feels like our 50th already. I definately deserve more sparkly, shiney things! ;)

[Publius6961]

I definately deserve more sparkly, shiney things! ;)

A brand new set of pots and pans?

[Deaf Smith]

One out of three marriages ends in divorce.

The other two thirds end in death.