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.
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.
A gifted sportsman from an early age, VESELSKY rose to become a high-ranking table tennis player in his youth. Despite the upheaval of war and personal tragedy, table tennis remained both a passion and a platform through which he connected people and communities. After the Second World War, he went on to captain the Czechoslovak national table tennis team, representing his country at the highest level during a challenging political era.
Joe’s life was profoundly shaped by history. At the age of 20, following Hitler’s invasion of Czechoslovakia, he joined the Resistance, surviving the war in the Carpathian Mountains. His parents and elder brother were murdered in Auschwitz, a loss that left an indelible mark on his life. For his bravery, he was later awarded the Order of the Slovak National Uprising.
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. Ireland would become his lifelong home and the stage for his lasting contribution to table tennis.
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. In recognition of this legacy, the Joe VESELSKY Award was established to honour endeavour and achievement in table tennis administration within Ireland.
His lifelong commitment to sport was also recognised internationally. In 2021, the Slovak government awarded him the Order of the White Double Cross for his services to sport, while the ETTU Badge of Honor acknowledged his outstanding contribution to European table tennis. He was awarded with the BoH at the Congress in Zadar 2025.
Even in later years, Joe remained intellectually and socially active. Known as Ireland’s oldest student, he attended courses at Trinity College Dublin, which awarded him an Honorary Degree in 2016, alongside distinguished figures such as Professor Peter HIGGS.
Joe VESELSKY’S life 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.
He is survived by his children Peter and Kate, and by a legacy that will continue to inspire the table tennis community in Europe and beyond.
Funeral Service to celebrate Josef’s life will be held on Wednesday 7th January at 10am in the Victorian Chapel, Mount Jerome Crematorium, Harold’s Cross, DUBLIN D6WHY98.
For those who cannot attend, the service can be viewed online using this link .
Photo: Courtesy of the Irish Table Tennis Association
