Vladivostok Resident Turns 116

Vladivostok resident Afanasy Tarasov has turned 116. He was today congratulated and presented with a gift on behalf of Primorye Region Governor Sergei Darkin by Alexander Smirnov, the head of the PR department of the Primorye regional administration. Smirnov told Tarasov: 'You are confirmation of the fact that it is possible to lead a long life in Primorye.'

The Primorye regional administration's press office told Rosbalt's correspondent that Tarasov was born in 1887 into a peasant family in the Rostov Region, where he lived most of his life. He moved to Primorye around 20 years ago. In his youth he was a farmer, and after the revolution he worked as a builder.

Afanasy Tarasov married once and lived with his wife for over 60 years, a period which he considers the happiest of his life. His wife Alexandra Tarasova died 10 years ago at the age of 82. Afanasy Tarasov believes that you should only get married once in your life. His only son is 69, his grandson 45, and his great-grandson 24. According to his daughter-in-law Valentina Tarasova, he has never been ill, never used any medicines, never followed a diet, and has a sweet tooth.