Iosif Rus, a professor and war veteran from Cluj County, became at the age of 110 Romania's oldest living person according to data from the Gerontology Research Group. His story spans more than a century of history marked by tragedy, struggle, and professional dedication.

Rus was born in 1915 in Ghiolt, Țaga commune. His childhood was marked by the loss of his mother, who died in 1918 when he was only two and a half years old. His father had been a prisoner in Siberia during World War I and returned home only in November 1918. After attending school in Gherla and Cluj, Rus began working in education.

During World War II he was mobilized in the Romanian Army and sent to the Eastern Front, in the Crimean Peninsula, where he participated in battles and was wounded in 1943. After recovery he continued in the army until 1945. Upon his return he dedicated himself to his vocation: he worked 43 years as a teacher.

Rus was decorated for his participation in the war and in 2026 was promoted to the rank of brigadier general with one star, in retirement. On October 28, 2025 he turned 110 years old and entered the ranks of supercentenarians. After the deaths of other very elderly Romanians, he is now the oldest living man in Romania.

He currently lives in Gherla, plays the violin, reads newspapers carefully and does not conceive of not voting in elections. When he speaks about life, he does so with a calm hard to imagine after all he has lived through. Rus attributes his longevity to moderation, love and understanding, and has never smoked or drunk. For young people, he has a simple message: love their country and live in a better world.