• Introduction by Eva Dusil • Editing by Gabriel Dusil • 2014 November
• Our language course ended in June of 1970. By that time we had learned passable English in six month. I was then advised to take the Michigan test if I intended to apply for university to finish my veterinary studies. I wrote the test in August and submitted my application to the Ontario Veterinary College. When they invited me for an interview I was disappointed to hear their classes were full. In the mean time, the University of Guelph admissions department advised me to complete grade 13 English (the final year of high school at the time), and apply the following year.
• The following summer I was accepted into the University of Guelph. I began my studies in September of 1971, and was admitted to their third year of a four year program. Meanwhile my husband found work in Brampton at a small animal veterinary clinic, so we decided to move there. It was a good clinic because they were constantly busy. Most of our education in Czechoslovakia was focused on large animals to serve the needs of the agricultural industry. In contrast, The only experience my husband had at the time was at the veterinary college in Košice where he was an assistant in a large animal department. Canada already had a large market of domesticated animals. So the Brampton clinic was a great opportunity for him to quickly how to quickly treat small animals.
• I graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in June of 1973. In many ways I fulfilled my dream, thanks to my husband. I also owe my heartfelt gratitude to my mother, Valeria Kende, who always believed in me. My mother could finally tell all her doubters that the sacrifices she made were worth it – Her daughter was a veterinarian.
Mamička
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• We always want our children to be better than us. Some may interpret that to mean success through wealth, fame, or power. But it’s beyond that. I want my boys to be stronger than me. Emotionally, physically, and socially. I want them to survive in this world beyond what I could possibly achieve. I want them to make an impact on their world better than what I achieved. I want to give my boys what my father didn’t – to be their mentor.
• Even with emotional clarity, I always felt limited in my ability to reach the top tiers of success. I revered those that had mentors throughout their lives. I observed how a select few attributed their achievements to a mentor. I never had someone that would sit with me and assess my life and provide continual and persistent guidance. The only times I would be approached directly by a family member was when I was in crisis, or when I had done something horribly wrong. Those times I had been lectured and disciplined. The closest I had to a mentor in those years was my coach, Morris Vaillancourt*, and my girlfriend’s father, Conrad Brown. I respected them immensely – always listening to their words of wisdom, and lessons from life. They were mentors by example and in how they viewed life.
* Morris Vaillancourt, was the coach of the Burlington YMCA Swim Club. He is also a National Coach, Level I and II Clinic Conductor. In 1973 Morris was the Canada Games Coach and also held the position of Chairman of the Ontario Swimming Coaches Association. He has trained over 100 Provincial and National record holders.
• Gabičko
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• During the communist era very few citizens of the eastern bloc were allowed to travel to the west, except for politicians and sportsmen. Travelling amongst countries such as East Germany, Hungary, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, and Yugoslavia were allowed. But even that was difficult, since the authorities only allowed travel to the eastern block once every two years. Travel to the west on a Czechoslovakian passport required both a “vyjazdna dolozka” (an “exit visa” granted by the passport police) and an entry visa granted by the western country. Only after receiving the “vyjazdna dolozka” (specific to the country of destination) could the traveler apply for an “entry visa”. In addition, the traveler’s employment manager needed to approve the application.
• Top sportsmen from Czechoslovakia would have a number of STB minders when competing in western countries. STB, or “Štátna tajna bezpečnosť”, is Slovak for “State Secret Security”. Essentially they were the Czechoslovakian equivalent to the Russian KGB. STB minders were present as members of the Czechoslovakian delegation at events such as the Olympics, European or World championships. Despite these minders, some successfully defected to the embarrassment of the communist party – Martina Navratilova (tennis), Václav Nedomanský and Richard Farda (hockey), and many others. In the early 1960’s travel rules and political repression was a bit relaxed. But these political changes were not enough and this led to changes in the communist party hierarchy. It also resulted in the attempted reforms of the new General Secretary, Alexander Dubček, referred today as the Prague Spring. On the 21st of August 1968 the Soviet Union and four other members of the Warsaw Pact invaded Czechoslovakia to halt Dubček’s reforms. This meant in a renewed orthodox communist grip on Czechoslovakia for the next twenty years.
• Dusil
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• In 1969 my uncle requested travel to Paris, His boss asked what would happen to his children. My uncle lied, saying that his children would stay with their relatives. Essentially he was reassuring his boss that my cousins would remain home as “collateral deposit”. This was sufficient to reassure the authorities that the traveler would not defect. On that basis his manager approved their travel request. My uncle subsequently forged his children into the application. They obtained exit visas from the passport police, and then entry visas into France. Ten days later they “forgot” to return. The rest is history…
• Postscript by Eva Dusil • 2014 October • Gabičko, this a very cute photo when you were about two months old. I still remember Nanika commenting how well you were able to hold your head up. Love you, Mom, with happy memories.
• Postscript from me • 2014 October • I think I could have won the award for the roundest head in Czechoslovakia.
69.Jan – Kosice · Gabriel & Vaclav Dusil69.Jan – Kosice · Gabriel & Eva Dusil69.Jan – Kosice · Gabriel & Vaclav Dusil (cradle)69.Jan – Kosice · Gabriel & Vaclav Dusil (kiss)69.Jan – Kosice · Gabriel & Vaclav Dusil (on Taci’s shoulders)
• Postscript by Eva Dusil • 2014 September • This photo was taken at Slavo Sykorsky’s villa in Košice, where we lived until we left Czechoslovakia in August 1969 and emigrated to Canada. Prior to Slavo’s place we lived in Pepo Vosecky’s apartment for short time. You were about four months old.
• Postscript from me • 2014 September • Look at that little baby… Precious!
69.Apr – Košice · Gabriel & Eva Dusil
• 8 minutes 19 seconds
69.Sep.4 – Košice · Leaving for Paris (#1)69.Sep.4 – Košice · Leaving for Paris (#2)69.Sep.4 – Košice · Leaving for Paris (#3)
• Postscript from Eva Dusil • 2014 October • These were taken in Košice on the day before we emigrated. We are at the bus station on our way to Bratislava to catch our flight to Paris the following day. In Bratislava we slept over at a rental apartment with Slavo and Milica Sykorsky. We arrived at Orly Airport in Paris, late in the afternoon on the 5th of September – on Vašek’s birthday. As we landed in France we finally felt free. Our first night was in a university dormatory, since the fall semester had not yet begun. You took your first steps that night. During the trip you had a bad cold, runny nose and fever, but a couple days after arriving in Paris you were fine.■ My father-in-law didn’t know that we were leaving, and later told us he would have informed the authorities.
• Tags
Alexander Dubček, dusil.com, Eva Dusil, Eva Kendeova, Erika Dusil, Gabičko, Gabriel Dusil, Igor Fridrich, Karol Dusil, Lokomotiva Košice, Martina Navratilova, Pepo Vosecky, Prague Spring, Richard Farda, Robert Dusil, Slavo Sykorsky, STB, Stefan Bartus, Truncheon Law, Vaclav Dusil, Vašek Dusil, Václav Nedomanský, Vlado Makovsky, vyjazdna dolozka, Warsaw Pact invasion, Štátna bezpečnosť, Štátna tajna bezpečnosť
• Introduction by Eva Dusil • Editing by Gabriel Dusil • 2015 March
• During Christmas of 1965 I met Vašek. He was in his fifth year of university in the same veterinary program as myself. He had a great influence on my performance and always pressured me to do better. We studied together and went on dates as much as school permitted. The following year he graduated and then his compulsory military duty awaited him. Vašek and I got engaged in December of 1967 while still serving his military duties.
• Your father was an excellent surgeon. Taci was the best student in his class and the only one to finish with honors. For Vašek it was absolutely essential that he finished university with a red diploma. By the time he graduated, both of his brothers had finished their studies and also received red diplomas. The difference was that your father was the only one in his class that graduated with honors, whereas in engineering there were several students that completed that distinction.
• Taci was a great communicator and had a lot of charisma. Our clients liked him very much. He had an inherent view into the hearts of people, and that allowed him to be very compassionate and empathetic. Together we built a successful veterinary practice. He was ambitious and competitive, but not because he wanted to prove he was better than others – throughout his life his biggest competitor was himself, and the struggles he had with his own ego.
• Taci died 34 years ago today. We miss him tremendously.
• Introduction by Eva Dusil • Editing by Gabriel Dusil • 2014 October
• My mother, Valeria Kendeova, was the shining light in our family. I sometimes wonder where her strength and vision came from, since most of her life she suffered ill health. My mother contracted scoliosis as a teenager. This was due to malnourishment while attending private school in Budapest. When she came home for the summer holidays her mother noticed she had bowed legs, due to the onset of rickets. Valeria told her parents that she was always hungry at boarding school, but they didn’t believe her. Malnutrition at the school later manifested into scoliosis. The curvature of my mother’s spine worsened when she started to work as a clerk – sitting all day at a typewriter. The fact that my mother had a job was considered an achievement. Most women in post-war Czechoslovakia were homemakers. Valeria’s employment was further challenged by the fact that her Slovak wasn’t very good. Her mother tongue was Hungarian, and she also spoke German fluently. My mother also learned French while attending boarding school in Belgium. When the grandchildren were born my mother’s nickname became “Nanika”. This is from the Hungarian, “nagymama”, or grandmother. My mom was the one that guided me to getting a good education, and to strive for post-secondary studies. She allowed me to be independent.
• My father, Stefan Kende’s nickname was “Nadapi”, for the grandchildren. This was taken from the Hungarian “nagyapa”, or grandfather. My father wasn’t involved in nurturing me. Maybe it was different for my older brothers – Csaba who was twelve years my elder, and Attila was seven years older. Stefan had a reputation as an intellectual in our community. He worked as an antique book expert in Czechoslovakia – one of only three experts in the country, who would appraise old books throughout the state. This service was mainly for private libraries, collectors, and antique stores. My father was also a champion chess player – certainly one of the top ten best players in Czechoslovakia. Stefan would finish work at 18:00, come home for supper, then go to the café at Hotel Slovan to play chess. Nadapi played with a group of friends for one koruna per game (about five Canadian cents in today’s exchange rate). With their colorful game commentary they entertained onlookers. He also played in regional and national chess matches. He was a well known chess champion in Košice.
• Kende
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69.Dec.24 – Košice · Valeria & Stefan Kende70.Apr.7 – Košice · Stefan Kende’s birthday
• Postscript from my Mom • 2014 October • This photo was taken on my father’s 71st birthday.
70.Dec.24 – Košice · Valeria & Stefan Kende
70 – Košice · Valeria & Stefan Kende
70 – Košice · Stefan Kende, Valeria Kendeova
• Postscript from my Mom • September 2014 • This is a photo of my Mom and Dad, taken in Kosice, at their home on Krmanova 3, Kosice, shortly after we emigrated to Canada.
71.Jul – Košice · Stefan Kende
71 – Košice · Stefan Kende71 – Košice · Valeria & Stefan Kende73 – Košice · Stefan Kende74 – Bardejov · Stefan & Csaba Kende (Bardejovské Kúpele)
• Tags
Anka Kendeova, Attila Kende, Csaba Kende, dusil.com, Eva Dusil, Eva Kendeova, Gabriel Dusil, Hotel Slovan, Lacko Kende, Ladislav Kende, Marta Kolos, Nadapi, Nanika, Richard Kende, Stefan Kende, Tibor Kolos, Valeria Kendeova, Zsusanna Kolos
• Having veterinarian parents carried an expectation that we would always surrounded by animals. Certainly that was the case – even at home. But it also seemed appropriate for my parents to go above and beyond that expectation. That’s why, when I was five years old, getting a Great Dane made sense. Even more appropriate was to call him by the nobles of names: Caesar (Named after Julius Caesar – although we used the Slovak spelling of Cezar).
• When we took him for walks on our street we always had neighbors approaching us, fascinated by his size. “Wow, he’s as big as a horse!”, was the most common comment. Back then many people had never seen a Great Dane in their life. During those years we were always known on the street as, “The veterinarians with the big great dane”.
• When we were young we would even ride Cezar. In the early days he was strong enough to hold me, but eventually only my sister was light enough for Cezar to hold her weight. Looking back, it may have seemed like a form of torture – parading on Cezar’s back as if we were riding a horse. Our friends watch us as if we were a act circus. At the time we felt that Cezar was relishing in the attention. Eventually we stopped our antics when it was clear he could no longer carry us.
• Dusil
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Here is my latest mini-project – A 2015 calendar with old family photos. I set out to test my Adobe InDesign skills, and this is the end result. The calendar has a selection of photos that will be released on my blog over the next twelve months. I hope you like it. You can download the calendar in a high resolution pdf here, or click on the image below. The file is 174MB, so expect a fairly long download time, depending on your internet bandwidth.
• Introduction by Eva Dusil • Editing by Gabriel Dusil • 2014 October
• Four years after we emigrated, we bought our own veterinary clinic. It was a big achievement considering we didn’t even know a word of English when we first arrived in Canada. Vašek loved veterinary medicine, and was an excellent surgeon. He was very much liked by our clients.
• Vašek was also a very good handyman – constantly busy building and improving things around the house. He enjoyed travelling, and seeing the world. Even with our tight finances it was important for Vašek to see the world. He would say,”They can take your ‘things’, but they can’t take what you have experienced”. The comment partly came from his deep seated resentment of the communist regime, which confiscated all private property in 1948.
• Vašek also found a lot of fulfillment from sports. He enjoyed competing and teaching judo. He played soccer regularly with his Czech and Slovak friends, and hockey throughout the 70’s with his fellow veterinarians. He was competitive and ambitious, but would never boast about his success. The happiest moment in his life was when you and your sister were born.
• Taci
If you missed the other Taci posts, you can link to them here:
• Pepo was one of my dad’s best friends. He was like an uncle to me, and his son Tommy is like my brother. To this day I will never forget the time that Pepo was over during one of our family parties. I was around eleven years old. Pepo was an awesome chef, starting Pepo’s Bistro in the 80’s with his wife, Vlasta. On one visit to our house he made the the most amazing lamb chops. I distinctly remember him pouring beer in the frying pan over and over again. I watched his passion for cooking, as he made our dinner. To this day nothing has come close to those lamb chops.
• 2 minutes 55 seconds
67 – Košice · Pepo Vosecky, Eva Kendeova, Vaclav Dusil
• 6 minutes 38 seconds
67.Feb – Košice · Vaclav Dusil (Graduation Ceremony from Veterinary Medicine)67.Feb – Košice · Vaclav Dusil (Graduation Certificate for Veterinary Medicine)
• Postscript from my Mom • 2014 October • Your father was the only one in his class to finish with honors, which meant that he received a red diploma. It was quite an achievement. By the time he graduated, his two brothers had also graduated with honors, so it was very important for him. There was a lot of competition between the brothers.
• 4 minutes 4 seconds
67.Feb – Košice · Vaclav Dusil (Graduation photo from Veterinary Medicine, sako)67.Feb – Košice · Vaclav Dusil (Graduation photo from Veterinary Medicine)
67.Apr.9 – Košice · Document, Vaclav Dusil (Veterinary Medicine, invitation)
• Postscript from my Mom • 2014 October • This is Taci’s announcement of his graduation as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (MVDr.). This was a good example of his modesty, because he doesn’t even mention in the invitation that he graduated with honors (i.e. designated by the red diploma shown below).
68 – Košice · Vaclav Dusil with the Chairman of Internal Medicine, University of Košice
• Tags
Andrej Collak, Anna Collakova, Attila Kende, Csaba Kende, Darina Poprenakova, Digital Restoration, Dusil Family, dusil.com, Edo Novak, Erika Dusil, Eva Dusil, Gabriel Dusil, Ivan Spisak, Iveta Kende, Juraj Bialko, Karol Dusil, Kende Family, Ladislav Kende, Maria Collakova-Korytkova, Maria Dusilova, Michal Jr, Michal Korytko, Nyarjas, Orendas, Pepo Vesecky, Robert Dusil, Robert Dusil sr., Slavo Sykorsky, Stefan Kende, Vaclav Dusil, Valeria Kendeova, Vera Kendeova
• In my last visit home, to Burlington, Ontario, Canada, I decided to digitally scan a selection of old family photos. My wish is that one day, my boys and their offspring will have a high quality digital library of their family heritage. This is part of an ongoing pursuit to establish an archive of our family history, and build on the depth of work that my Mom has done with our family genealogy. My wish is that generations that follow us, will enjoy the the efforts that we made in the preservation of their family history. I hope to scan more photos on my next visit. So this is just a start.
• Each month I plan to post a selection of new photos that have been restored. I also wanted to record the restoration process, so that you can see the tedious process needed to achieve a near perfect restoration. I suggest viewing the videos in high definition and in full screen (both options can be selected, using the bottom right icons in the YouTube player). Enjoy.
♥HappyBirthday ♥Mamička♥
I love you,
Mamička
If you missed the other posts on Mamička, you can link to them here:
• All photos in this blog can be downloaded by just clicking on them – the images will open in a new tab in your browser, where you can then right click on them and save the file to your computer. If you want an even higher quality version (to print, for example) then let me know, as I have the original uncompressed Tiffs.
• If you have anecdotal information related to any photos in this blog, then please send me the details, and I would be happy to add your postscript below the photos. Just send me an email or post your comments at the end of this blog.
• Postscript from Eva Dusil • 2014 September • This photo was taken in Keszthely, Hungary in 1961, I was 16 years old. My Mom and I were at my grandmothers, where we visited every second year.
• Postscript from Eva Dusil • 2014 September • On my right is my brother, Attila in military uniform, 23 years old, I’m 16 years old, and my other brother, Csaba (28 years old) is on my left, photographed at my parents apartment, Krmanova 3, Kosice, Slovakia.
• Postscript from Eva Dusil • 2014 September • This photo was taken in Spišská Nová Ves, Slovakia, where there was a horseback jumping competition. On this occasion I was attending as a spectator, although my club was taking part in it. • Since my mother was born there, I used the opportunity to visit the villa she grew up in, where I spent a happy childhood. Beside the villa was the Haltenberger Textile factory that her grandparents owned in the 1920’s. This textile factory eventually was abandoned and in bad shape, and the business was sold by mother’s uncle Rudolf Haltenberger Jr., to Budapest around 1921-1922. • In this photo I am 19 years old. I am wearing a top which was very fashionable at that time.
• Postscript from me • 2014 September • I love this photo so much. It’s currently my favorite photo of my Mom, from before we emigrated. She is so beautiful… and still is!
• 1964 March 8 • Košice, Slovakia • International Woman’s Day • Eva & Valeria Kendeova
• 4 minutes 45 seconds
64.Mar.8 – Kosice · Eva & Valeria Kendeova (Woman’s Day)
• Postscript from Eva Dusil • 2014 September • Here I am about 18 years old. My mother and I were attending an International Women’s Day celebration at my Mom’s workplace.
• Postscript from me • 2014 September • It’s rare to find a photo of my grandmother where she is smiling. I think this is the best one I found so far. I really love the emotion in this photo. You can see the happiness in her eyes, and how my mom is also enjoying the moment.
65.July – Keszthely · Eva Kendeova (Jumping with Furioso horse)
• Postscript from Eva Dusil • September 2014 • In this photo I am 20 years young. My Mom and I were visiting my grandmother in Keszthely, Hungary, during the summer holidays. Every time we visited, I would ride at the local stud farm. Here I am jumping the trainer’s stud. He was a really powerful horse, and a beautiful animal, from the Furioso breed. They liked when I visited, and eventually I took part in a competition for them. Later on I represented them at a horse pageant, at a different location.
• Postscript from me • September 2014 • We often hear our parents say that they did ‘this and that’, when they were young. As kids we don’t know the true extent of their accomplishments until we are old enough to appreciate them. Memories may fade with time, but these photos will (hopefully) last forever. My mom was an accomplished horseback rider. This is a great photograph of her in action.
• Postscript from Eva Dusil • 2014 September • This photo is from a ski expedition we had in the Tatra mountains, organized by my university. I was in my first year of veterinary college.
• Postscript from Eva Dusil • 2014 September • Here I am 21 years old, at an equestrian competition in Poprad, Slovakia. I was representing my university’s equestrian club with my Arabian stud horse named Shagya. This was my last competition I took part in, because Taci did not like me pursuing a sport that was mostly in the company of men. Because of my love for him, I gave up the sport • Times have changed… Today the sport is mostly pursued by women. In a way, you can say that I was ahead of my time. By studying veterinary medicine, this was also considered a male’s profession, at that time.
• 1967 December 25 • Košice, Slovakia • Engagement Party • Dusil Brothers & Spouses
• Postscript from Eva Dusil • 2014 September • This photo was taken at Taci’s and my engagement in my parents apartment in Kosice.
• Postscript from me • 2014 September • What my dad was about to do with his cup… I think I inherited some of that blood. • Standing, along the top row (left to right): Robert, Vaclav & Karol Dusil, sitting down are Zuzana Dusil, Eva Kendeova (not yet married), and Erika Dusil
67.Dec.25 – Kosice · Dusil & Kende family (Engagement party)67.Dec.25 – Kosice · Dusil & Kende family (Engagement)
• Postscript from Eva Dusil • 2014 September • Interesting, that on the left hangs the painting of “The Old Man” that burned in the fire years later. I have since painted it myself. It hangs now in the hallway near the kitchen. My mother loved this painting and once when I visited, my Mom wanted to give it to me. I refused to take it, because said told me on a previous visit that as long as she lived she is not giving it away. I told my Mom to live for a long time, and enjoy the painting.
• Postscript from me • 2014 September • A rare photo with so many Kende and Dusil family members in one photo. It was great to restore this one. I love the odd composition of the photo, by capturing “The Old Man” painting so perfectly. • Standing, along the top row (left to right): Robert Dusil, Csaba Kende, Erika Dusil, Karol Dusil, Eva Dusil, Vaclav Dusil, Anka Kendeova, Ladislav Kende, Attila Kende • Along the bottom row (left to right): Zuzana Dusil, Vera Kendeova, Stefan Kende, Valeria Kendeova, Robert Dusil sr.
• Tags
Andrej Collak, Anna Collakova, Attila Kende, Csaba Kende, Darina Poprenakova, Digital Restoration, Dusil Family, dusil.com, Edo Novak, Erika Dusil, Eva Dusil, Gabriel Dusil, Ivan Spisak, Iveta Kende, Juraj Bialko, Karol Dusil, Kende Family, Ladislav Kende, Maria Collakova-Korytkova, Maria Dusilova, Michal Jr, Michal Korytko, Nyarjas, Orendas, Pepo Vesecky, Robert Dusil, Robert Dusil sr., Slavo Sykorsky, Stefan Kende, Vaclav Dusil, Valeria Kendeova, Vera Kendeova
Gabriel Dusil • Time Is Relentless 