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Holocaust Survivor and Table Tennis Pioneer Dies at 107

1/6/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Josef Veselsky, a Holocaust survivor and Ireland's oldest man, died in Dublin on January 3 at age 107.
Veselsky was born in Trnava, Slovakia.
He survived World War II by joining the Czech resistance.
He emigrated to Ireland in 1949, built a jewelry business, and became a prominent figure in table tennis.
A memorial event to honor his table tennis legacy is planned.

History

Historical Context

In 1949, Josef Veselsky emigrated to Ireland after surviving the Holocaust, which claimed six million Jewish lives during World War II. Born in Trnava, Slovakia, he joined the Czech resistance against Nazi oppression. His success in Ireland, where he established a jewelry business and became a table tennis figure, highlights the resilience of Holocaust survivors rebuilding their lives post-war.

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Story summary

Josef Veselsky, a Holocaust survivor and Ireland's oldest man, died in Dublin on January 3 at age 107.
Veselsky was born in Trnava, Slovakia.
He survived World War II by joining the Czech resistance.
He emigrated to Ireland in 1949, built a jewelry business, and became a prominent figure in table tennis.
A memorial event to honor his table tennis legacy is planned.

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