An 84-year-old Colombian man who built a small house next to his wife's grave after she died five years ago said he is not finished constructing the home.

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Alejandro Garcia of Tamalemeque said he attempted suicide after his wife of 56 years, Maria Antonia, died of a lung infection in 2007 and he decided to build a small house next to her grave after his son died of leukemia shortly afterward, Colombia Reports said Tuesday.

Cemetery worker Jose Manuel Pacheco said Garcia often receives visitors in his small home and is popular among the town's residents.

"He spends all day here and goes out to eat with his daughters, then comes back and takes care of his wife," Pacheco said.

Garcia said he receives $80 in government assistance every two months and puts most of the money back into the home.

"The first shelter I did with cardboard and pieces of wood, then it gradually got better. With my next paycheck, I will tile the floor," he said.