Supercentenarian Profile

Giovanni Quarisa

Born:

1909-08-24

Pieve del Grappa, Veneto

Italy

Died:

2020-03-21

Bassano del Grappa, Veneto

Italy

Giovanni Quarisa was an Italian supercentenarian.

BIOGRAPHY

Giovanni Quarisa was born in Pieve del Grappa, Veneto, Italy, on 24 August 1909. At some point, he married Erminia Dalan and had two daughters: Vilma and Mirella.

Quarisa joined the Carabinieri in 1929 at the age of 20, serving across various parts of Italy in his role dedicated to public safety. He was deployed to the front in Split, Croatia, during World War II in 1941. In 1943, he was held in a prison camp in Dubrovnik, and then deported to Germany. Reflecting on his life, he remarked that he had never arrested anyone and had never suffered from hunger. Even during wartime, he managed to find something to eat—whether it was potatoes, scraps, or bread. While deported to Bavaria and working in an aircraft factory, a Luftwaffe officer whose office he cleaned would regularly leave him a crust of bread. Following the war’s end in 1945, he was freed and made the journey back to Italy on foot. After returning home, he resumed his duties with the Carabinieri.

His greatest passions in life were his work as a Carabiniere and cycling. He was discharged in 1951. At the age of 42, already retired, he found work as a driver for local entrepreneurs and shopkeepers, later transitioning to roles at a service station and as an auto electrician.

Quarisa rarely smoked, and maintained a light diet for both lunch and dinner, allowing himself no more than a single glass of wine each day. When asked about the secret to his longevity, he famously replied: “Eat little and don’t get angry—it takes years off your life. Set problems aside, smile, ignore gossip, and tell people to go to hell when necessary.” He was also an honorary member of the Giustitalia Association. In his later years, while his legs no longer functioned as they once did, his mind remained sharp. Each year on his birthday, he was honored with visits from Carabinieri officers and officials from the Veneto region.

On his 110th birthday, he was honored with visits from many of his descendants, as well as a delegation from the Carabinieri, an organization he proudly served. At that time, he had four grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren (the youngest was five years old).

Giovanni Quarisa passed away in Bassano del Grappa, Veneto, Italy, on 21 March 2020, at the age of 110 years, 210 days.

RECOGNITION

His age has not been validated.

On 11 July 2019, following the passing of 110-year-old Salvatore Cavallo, he became the oldest living man in Italy, at the age of 109 years, 321 days. He held the title until his own passing in March 2020, when he was succeeded by Giovanni La Penna.