Kamil Trochta
1937-2021
Trochta, Kamil Ernest
August 7, 1937 – February 3,
2021
On February 3, 2021, COVID ushered Kamil to his next great
party.
A proud native of Slovakia, Kamil was born in 1937 in
Uzhhorod, which at that time was part of Czechoslovakia. Seeing that
Kamil was at least 12 years junior to his brothers Oliver and Ervin.
He could often be found in the kitchen helping his mother prepare for
the family’s next celebration. The love, humour and care
taught to him by his mother was balanced by the discipline and
intellectual rigor taught by his father, Josef, who proudly served as
school Principal until retiring and becoming a professor of history
and geography at the Univerzita Komenského.
By 30, Kamil had completed his master’s degree in
physics, math and chemistry. His education and charisma
earned him a position as the host of a national science and arts
television program.
Kamil’s wit and smarts inside the body of an
athletic swimmer were completely enthralling to the beautiful, young
farm girl, Jarmila Pavlikova , who was doing her post-graduate studies
of nursing in Bratislava. Kamil literally cartwheeled into her heart.
Jarmila and Kamil would spend the next 53 years making each other
simultaneously joyous and exasperated.
December 29, 1968, after watching their country be invaded,
their futures irreparably changed, they arrived in Canada through the
persistent generosity of Jim Bresa of Guelph. After arriving with 2
suitcases, Kamil was station manager for McLean Hunter Cable
TV from 1969-1986. His time documenting history for others,
led to an appreciation for true events that fueled a passion for
collecting, consolidating and sharing the accomplishments of both
Canadian and European soldiers. His efforts brought medals that had
been lost through the years together with the soldier’s
records from Veterans Affairs.
Following his time in broadcasting, Kamil and Jarmila built 2
businesses, Kamil Juices (KJ Urban Winery & Craft Brewing
Supplies) and Cox Creek Cellars, and employed many young people who
can now be found across Canada using what Kamil taught them to coax
award-winning beverages from hops and grapes. Kamil traveled each
year, sometimes to Europe, sometimes to South America searching for
the best grapes and juices to bring to his customers of home
winemakers.
Kamil’s most important adventure was his family.
Two wonderful men credit their father, Kamil, with teaching them about
life, love, travel and the value of a good joke told with friends over
fine wines or good Scotch.
Kamil will be toasted by many and most deeply missed by his
wife, Jarmila, his sons Oliver (Julie) and Adrian (Carly) and his 6
grandchildren, Mathew, Evan, Olivia, Gabrielle, Anna and Vivian and
his cousin, Nora. While Kamil joins the friends and family who passed
before him, he moves from this life knowing that the Trochta name will
live on with honour and understanding. We love you,
Kamil.
The family has completed a private service and will invite
friends and family to a proper celebration, when it is
possible.
Thank you to the wonderful nursing team of 4East at Guelph
General Hospital and Drs. Harvey and Lewitsky.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the
Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, 69 Huron St. Guelph ON N1E
5L6, 1-800-616-8816 or if you choose, please join in Kamil’s
gratitude to those who served by donating to the Royal Canadian
Legion, Branch 234, 57 Watson Pkwy, Guelph ON N1L 0H8
519-822-1565.
Arrangements entrusted to GILCHRIST
CHAPEL – McIntyre & Wilkie Funeral Home, One Delhi
Street, Guelph, (519-824-0031). We
invite you to leave your memories and donations online at: www.gilchristchapel.com
and they will be forwarded to the family.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Kamil Trochta 19372021..
Death notice for the town of: Guelph, Province: Ontario