As we approach Holocaust Remembrance Day, The Fellowship honors the millions of people who were murdered for being Jewish. We also remember and share the stories of those who survived this period of devastating, unchecked anti-Semitism. Even as the number of survivors grows smaller each year, we honor the lives they lived — lives that were nearly taken from them during a terrible chapter in history.
Today, The Fellowship remembers Josef Veselsky, who passed away at age 107 as the oldest man in Ireland.
Josef Veselsky was born Josef Weiss in 1918 in Czechoslovakia, in what is now Slovakia. His parents, brother, and sister-in-law were murdered at Auschwitz in 1942. The last time Josef saw them was when they were forced into cattle cars. Following his mother’s advice, he changed his surname to one that sounded more Slovak. During the war, he joined the Czech underground resistance and was later awarded the National Uprising Medal.
After the war, Josef worked as a secretary in the Czechoslovak government. When the Communist takeover occurred in 1948, he and his family fled the country. After securing visas to Australia, they were advised to travel to Ireland instead, as it was a safer journey. It was there that Josef—known as Joe to his neighbors—built a new life and became a cherished member of his community.
He opened a jewelry shop that specialized in importing Swiss watches. Outside of work, Joe’s favorite pastime was table tennis; in fact, he had once been a member of the Czechoslovak national team. He later served as captain of the Irish national table tennis team for more than 20 years. Joe also pursued his passion for sports as a soccer writer, earning a Special Merit Award for his work.
“Joe Veselsky’s resilience, integrity, and lifelong dedication to table tennis leave an enduring legacy. On behalf of Table Tennis Ireland, we extend our sincere condolences to his family and friends. He will be remembered with great respect and gratitude,” the official statement read.
