In that era, 61 for a working man, was much above average. Men at labor worked six days a week. Mostly ten hour days. No vacation, no early retirement, no workers comp.. Not slavery but not an easy life. So when someone reached 60 or even less common 70 it was a rare event. They are right that 60 is the new 40 or at least 50. I think 80 is about like 65-70 in those days.
Those who were not engaged in hard labor did not live much shorter lives than we do. We have more advanced medicines but eat less healthy and get less excercise.
