World's longest-serving grave digger finally retires after 73 years in job he treasured
The world’s longest-serving grave digger has finally hung up his shovel after more than 73 years.
Dedicated Allen McCloskey (USA) first entered the record books in 2021 when he’d earned the title for longest career as a grave digger with a total of 68 years 191 days.
Now at the age of 92, he’s finally putting his feet up for a well-earned rest after extending his record to 73 years 75 days.
His son Dean described it as the “end of an era”.
He said Allen had decided one day that it was “time” to stop working and that he’d quietly handed in his notice at Galveston Cemetery in Galveston, Indiana, but that he didn’t want any fuss or a party.
Dean explained in a Facebook post on a page dedicated to Allen’s work: “He was planning on digging for a few more weeks, but after a spell of not feeling well (even though he is feeling better now), we believe he has accepted his decision, both mentally and physically.
“We discovered this in a roundabout way. After all, as most of you know, it's very hard to get information out of him. He doesn’t talk about himself. After prying the information from him (his conversation with the sexton a few weeks ago), I asked, ‘Were you gonna tell us??’ His response was, ‘Well, I figured you'd hear about it sometime.’
“Translation: His humble self did not want a party thrown in his honour to celebrate this service he has done nearly all his life.”
When Allen first earned his world record, he became a pretty big talking point around the town, and was even featured on CBS Evening News where locals shared stories about what a helpful and “special” guy he is.
Dad-of-three Allen dug his first ever grave by hand in 1952 and even found the strength to dig the grave for his beloved wife Barbara when he lost her.
“Well, I figured she’d want me to do it,” he said.
He created the final resting places for thousands of people during his career, which he started sort of by accident after a grave digger asked him to cover for them for a week.
All these years later, he’s played a pivotal role in a very difficult time in the lives of his fellow Galveston residents.
He also has a reputation for doing odd jobs for townsfolk and refusing to let them pay him any money.
And while he may not want any fuss when it comes to the momentous ending of his record-breaking career, his children made sure he knows just how proud they are of him.
Dean continued in the post: “So, we, collectively as a family, are jubilant in the fact he has decided to give it up, and is walking away on his own terms. No longer will we worry about his wellbeing while digging in inclement weather or excessive heat. No longer will we worry about equipment failures and burst hydraulic hoses on his vintage 1970s backhoe. No longer will we worry about him navigating several tons of steel over, around, and between costly monuments of delicate marble and granite. No longer will he have to miss events because of his unwavering dedication to the job.
“But at the same time, we realize it has been a huge ‘piece’ of him since 1952, and will be an adjustment, to say the least. It has helped put food on our table, clothes on our backs, and a roof over our heads, for longer than most people reading this have been alive.
“He will now have more opportunity to tinker with his antique tractors. He'll be able to stay inside where it’s warm, and tend to the fireplace, if he chooses. He’ll be able to catch up on his reading. He’ll be able to attend more tractor shows & auctions…”
He added: “So, it was an absolute honour for him to ask me one last time, to drive him to the cemetery to ‘get the backhoe’, to watch him start it up one last time (at the cemetery), and to hear the lumbering of the engine fading off in the distance, as he drove it home…
“Well… the reality is, a chapter is closing in my Dad’s life, and witnessing it is even more difficult than I ever imagined.”
But as one chapter ends, another begins! We wish Allen all the best in his retirement and hope he knows that no matter what, he’ll always be Officially Amazing!