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

Tributes are being paid to Ireland’s oldest man, table tennis legend and Holocaust survivor Josef Veselsky, following his death at the age of 107.

Mr Veselsky, who was widely known as Joe, died peacefully on January 3 in his 108th year in the loving care of the staff at St John’s House Nursing Home in Dublin, according to his RIP.ie death notice.

Originally from Bratislava, Joe was born in 1918 and made Dublin his home from 1948, going on to become one of the most respected figures in Irish sport and an iconic name in table tennis both at home and abroad.

He is remembered as a beloved husband of the late Katarina and loving father to Peter and Kate, and is also survived by his son-in-law Jack, daughter-in-law Denise, his cherished grandsons Stephen and Nicholas and their wives Estela and Olga, as well as great-grandchildren Lucas, Jacob, Sebby and Tommy.

He will also be deeply missed by his neighbours, Declan and Dara, and by “a very wide circle of friends and sporting colleagues from UCD football and Irish Table Tennis.”

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Table Tennis Ireland paid an emotional tribute following his passing, describing him as a “towering figure” in the sport.

“Table Tennis Ireland is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Josef Veselsky, Honorary Life President of Table Tennis Ireland and a towering figure in our sport,” the organisation said.

“Josef Veselsky, known to everyone as Joe, was a remarkable Dublin resident. Born in Bratislava in 1918, he made Dublin his home from 1948. He is best known for his outstanding achievements in table tennis, including serving as national team captain for both Czechoslovakia and Ireland.”

They added: “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.”

Joe’s extraordinary life was also marked by hardship. During World War II, he lost his parents and a brother in Auschwitz and later joined the Czech underground resistance movement. After the war, he moved to Ireland, where he built a successful jewellery business and continued his lifelong involvement in sport.

The European Table Tennis Union also issued a powerful statement following his death.

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“The European and international table tennis community mourns the passing of Joe Veselsky, ETTU Badge of Honor holder, who died on January 3 at the remarkable age of 107,” it said.

“Born in 1918 in Trnava, former Czechoslovakia, Joe Veselsky’s life spanned more than a century of history, marked by resilience, courage, and an unwavering dedication to sport particularly table tennis, which remained a constant thread throughout his extraordinary journey.”

The ETTU recalled how, after Hitler’s invasion of Czechoslovakia, Joe joined the Resistance and survived the war in the Carpathian Mountains, while his parents and elder brother were murdered in Auschwitz.

“In 1949, Joe and his wife Katarina (Kathy) escaped the post-war political regime and emigrated to Ireland, where, despite having little English and no business background, he established a successful jewellery business,” the statement said.

“Veselsky played a central role in the development of the sport in his adopted country, eventually becoming Life President of the Irish Table Tennis Association. His impact extended beyond the playing arena into administration and governance, where he was widely respected for his integrity, vision, and tireless service.”

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Veselsky was officially recognised last year as Ireland’s oldest man and, even in later life, remained deeply engaged with learning, known affectionately as ‘Ireland’s oldest student’, earning an honorary degree from Trinity College Dublin in 2016.

A funeral service to celebrate Josef’s life will take place on Wednesday, January 7 at 10am in the Victorian Chapel, Mount Jerome Crematorium, Harold’s Cross, Dublin.