Remembering Josef Veselsky: A Life of Resilience and Dedication

Josef Veselsky, a Holocaust survivor and celebrated table tennis champion, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2026, at the age of 107 in Dublin, Ireland. Born Josef Weiss in 1918 in Trnava, Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia), Veselsky's early life was marked by tragedy as he lost his parents and brother to the Auschwitz death camp during World War II. He witnessed his family being forcibly taken away but managed to escape this fate by changing his surname and joining the Czech underground resistance in the Carpathian Mountains. For his bravery, he was awarded the Order of the Slovak National Uprising.

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After the war, Veselsky emigrated to Ireland in 1949, where he established a successful jewelry business and became a prominent figure in the sports community. He served as the captain of both the Czechoslovak and Irish national table tennis teams for over 20 years, earning accolades such as the ETTU Badge of Honor and the Order of the White Double Cross from Slovakia for his contributions to sport and diplomacy.

Times of Israel

Tributes have poured in from various organizations and individuals following Veselsky's passing. Table Tennis Ireland described him as a "towering figure" in the sport, praising his "resilience, integrity, and lifelong dedication to table tennis." The European Table Tennis Union also recognized his significant contributions, stating that his life "spanned more than a century of history, marked by resilience, courage, and an unwavering dedication to sport."

'Towering figure': Tributes paid as Ireland’s oldest man and Holocaust survivor dies at 107

Veselsky's grandson, Nicholas Browne, reflected on his grandfather's character, noting that he was a kind and generous man who took the time to engage with people from all walks of life. Browne shared that Veselsky only learned the full details of his family's deportation to Auschwitz later in life, an event that left a profound impact on him.

The Irish Times

In a statement, Table Tennis Ireland expressed their condolences, stating, "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 European Table Tennis Union highlighted Veselsky's role in developing the sport in Ireland and his legacy as a lifelong learner, noting that he became the oldest student at Trinity College Dublin, where he earned an honorary degree in 2016.

RTE (Radio Television of Ireland)'Towering figure': Tributes paid as Ireland’s oldest man and Holocaust survivor dies at 107Irish Daily MirrorDublinLiveYnetNews

A funeral service to celebrate Josef Veselsky's life will be held on January 7, 2026, at the Victorian Chapel, Mount Jerome Crematorium in Dublin. Additionally, Table Tennis Ireland plans to organize a memorial event to honor his contributions to the sport.

Irish Daily Mirror

• “ “Joe Veselsky’s resilience, integrity, and lifelong dedication to table tennis leave an enduring legacy.” — Table Tennis Ireland

The Jerusalem Post

• “stands as a testament to the unifying power of sport, the endurance of the human spirit, and the values that table tennis seeks to promote across generations,” — European Table Tennis Union

Times of Israel

Josef Veselsky's remarkable journey from a Holocaust survivor to a beloved figure in Irish sports serves as an enduring reminder of resilience and the impact one individual can have on a community.

DublinLive