KIEV, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- A Ukrainian who was thought to have been the world's oldest man died Sunday in his 117th year, local media reported Monday.

    Grigory Nestor was born on March 15, 1891, a resident of Lvov region in western Ukraine.

    Reports said Nestor had not complained of health problems in the days leading up to his death.

    Nestor, who worked as a shepherd in his village for many years, was an inveterate bachelor.

    In response to a question about the secret of his longevity, he said, "I had never been married and did not undermine my nervous system on the family front."

    He said he had never suffered from any serious diseases, used no medicines and did not abuse alcohol, according to the report.

    Authors of Ukraine's book of records recognized Nestor as the country's oldest man and promised him that they would put his name in the Guinness Book of World Records, however he died before the promise was fulfilled.