Jozef Joe Veselský, a native of Trnava and a participant in the Slovak National Uprising (SNP), who had been living in Ireland, died on Saturday (January 3). Both his parents and brother perished in the Auschwitz concentration camp. The head of the Holocaust Museum in Sereď, Martin Korčok, reported on the death. Slovak President Peter Pellegrini expressed his sincere condolences to Jozef Veselský's family and loved ones.
"He filled his long life actively - with sports, education and service to others and became an inspiration to many. I express my sincere condolences to the entire family, loved ones and everyone affected by this news," the President said.
Jozef Veselský was born on October 20, 1918 in Trnava. Since his childhood, which he spent in this city, he was actively involved in sports, especially football. He was also a top table tennis player.
In 1944, he actively participated in the Slovak National Uprising. Four years later, out of fear of the incoming communist regime, he decided to emigrate with his wife and two small children. As a sales representative in Ireland, he sold watches and diamonds. He was an official in local football clubs and became the president of the Irish Table Tennis Association.
Even in his old age, he devoted himself to his studies and in 2016 he received an honorary Master of Arts degree from Trinity College in Dublin. He is the holder of several awards. He received the Medal for Bravery and the Resistance Cross, 1st Class immediately after the end of World War II. In 2007, he received the state award of the Order of the White Double Cross, 3rd Class, from the hands of the then President of the Slovak Republic, Ivan Gašparovič.
Source: TASR
