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 and they will be forwarded to the family.