Mr. De Marco (left) and the old photo of a century-old house (right)
How many years can you live in the same house? 30 years or 50 years?
Alfonso De Marco, a British centenarian, has lived in one house for 100 years. For him, this house located in the British seaside city of Eastbourne carries the century-long memories of a family.
The century-old house: "The house is like a family member"
This century-old house has been tied to Mr. De Marco since 1909. In 1885, De Marco's father Giuseppe left Cassino, Italy, for Eastbourne, operating an ice cream shop which later became the De Marco family residence.
In 1909, at the age of seven, De Marco moved to the UK to live with his father and took over his father's business in 1934, living there for 100 years.
Although a hundred years have passed, this house still retains its original appearance.
"The De Marco family has lived in this house for nearly 125 years. Although the surrounding environment has changed, our old house remains unchanged," said Elisa, Mr. De Marco's daughter. "My sister and I grew up here, and the entire family has countless ties to it. This house is like our family."
A century of friendship: refusal to move out
In the year when De Marco turned 100, his three daughters asked their father to move in with them, but he refused.
"I love it here; this is my home. My father lived here, and my daughters grew up here, so I cannot imagine life away from here," said De Marco.
Regarding her father's refusal, Elisa expressed understanding. "Living here makes him feel quite at ease. This house is an extension of his life and memories."
Her eldest daughter Pierina said: "It's hard to imagine that father could live here for so long. There must not be many people in the world who live in one house for 100 years like father."
Celebrating his 107th birthday: red wine as the secret to longevity
Last month, De Marco celebrated his 107th birthday with his family and friends in this house. The great-grandfather De Marco has three daughters, nine grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren. When asked about the secret to his health and longevity, he said: "A bottle of olive oil, a virtuous wife, and a glass of red wine."
De Marco's personal caregiver Becky Heiller and the caregiving team that provided him with daytime care also attended the birthday celebration, bringing a birthday cake and flowers.
Pierina said: "Father can still climb the stairs by himself and often tells jokes. Father's sisters all lived long lives, so he must have good genes, or maybe it's the ice cream he ate that had an effect." According to Xinhua News Agency.