Maya Stojan

Maya Stojan Instagram – My father, Josef Stojan, passed away September 5th 2024. He was 78 years old. He lived with pancreatic cancer for 5 and a half years against all odds.
He had the most extraordinary journey of anyone I’ve ever met. Raised in a turbulent family dynamic, in deep poverty during communism in Czechoslovakia, my father used his imagination and creativity to escape his traumas and reinvent his destiny.
At 22, he ran away from the regime and became a refugee with the equivalent of 2 dollars in his pocket. Not without struggle and with a novel-worthy amount of adventures, he somehow landed on his feet in Switzerland. He accounts his good fortune to good-hearted people along the way who gave him a chance. My father was a brilliant man and I think it was easy for all to see that there was something special about him.
Long story short, he founded his own graphic design company and by his mid-40s was one of the most reputable graphic designers working with some of the biggest brands in the world.
My dad was unreasonably generous. He wanted to give back to the world what he had been given and he accomplished that and so much more.
He was fearless and loved to travel, from traversing the Sahara to risky ventures in the jungle. He also loved modern art and could stare at a piece of art for hours on end just observing its every detail. His obsession with golf always seemed excessive to me until I finally understood that golfing was his sole inner peace.
What I loved most about my father, was his romantic love for my mother. After 40 years of marriage it was clear she’d been the one for him all along.
My dad had a funny way, he called it “Czech humor”, of telling stories where they’d be so extravagant that we’d have to take everything he said with a grain of salt. Speaking of salt, he was also the best cook and prepared meals like a Michelin chef. He was however never satisfied with the outcome. Very hard on himself, his cheeky moto was always: “no one loves me anyway”.
Truth is, he was loved by most and a true inspiration to many.
I will miss my papa dearly but he is already giving me signs that he is right here with me. Perhaps more present than ever. Maya2Papa♥️ | Posted on 05/Sep/2024 20:36:17