A family has paid tribute to a "much loved" "local celebrity", David Smith, who was the oldest person living in Cambridgeshire at the time of his death at a remarkable 106 years old.
David served in the army and Royal Air Force as a civil servant and has lived in Cambridgeshire all his life, always keeping himself busy with an array of hobbies and jobs.
Up until the last few months before he passed on December 31, 2022, David would be flicking through Facebook on his phone as one of its oldest users and living as independently as possible.
David was even using WhatsApp to send messages to his family on the night he passed away peacefully.
His nephew, Simon Clark, said: "uncle David was much loved and will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him, especially his close family.
"He was a local celebrity being the oldest man in our county, but he was also a best friend to me too."
"His face used to light up when my wife, Cate, and I used to take our daughter (his great niece) round to see him, and he would always say 'Kisses for Penny' at night and when he used to send us WhatsApp messages.
"It's amazing to think that there were 106 years and 22 days between them, and I'm sure there are not many families out there who can say the same thing."
READ MORE: David celebrates his remarkable 106th birthday alongside family
David was born on April 5, 1916, in St Neots and was one of six children, including his younger sister Joyce who still lives in the town.
He lived in Croxton as a child throughout his teenage years before he eventually moved across to Fenstanton, where he lived in his bungalow for 60 years.
A 14, David worked in a baker's shop and used to go out with a three-wheeled tricycle with bread and cakes before working in a brickyard at steelworks in Bedford.
David met his wife, Mona, while he was working on milk floats in Brampton, and they wed in Fenstanton in 1944; a marriage which lasted more than 60 years.
Soon after the wedding, David left for Egypt with the army, working in the Middle East for two-and-a-half years before returning to the UK, where he took up a post at Royal Air Force Wyton for 23 years, refuelling aeroplanes and even had the privilege of working with the Red Arrows.
"He was a true gent, very kind and loved to keep himself busy with his hobbies," said Simon.
READ MORE: The sky's the limit for David, 103, as he becomes flying club's oldest passenger
His hobbies included gardening, looking after his goldfish, tinkering around his shed, fixing things, cooking and always keeping himself busy.
David would free fish and chips delivered to his home from the local fish and chip shop Barry's Plaice, where he used to work and enjoyed the occasional Guinness, which he attributed to his long life.
Simon added: "My mum used to spend a lot of time with him, and they'd often find themselves heading out for Sunday roasts and enjoying many holidays in Norfolk and cruises around Europe.
"He struggled in the latter part of the year with ill health, but he was always so pleased to see his family and had a big smile on his face."
Across David's 106 years, he has witnessed and achieved plenty.
David has lived under five different monarchs and even became the oldest man taken into the skies by Conington Flying Club as a belated 103rd birthday present.
His funeral service will take place at Huntingdon Crematorium on Friday, February 17, 2023, at 10.45am.
His loved ones ask only for flowers from family members, but any desired donations can be made payable to Magpas Air Ambulance by sending them to William Peacock and Sons, Funeral Directors in Huntingdon.
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