From humble beginnings in Romania, Josef Cretzan went on to become one
of the most accomplished glass blowers of the twentieth century. For 37
years his knowledge and skills were fundamental in ensuring that
Waterford Crystal remained one of the premium glass manufacturers in the
world.
In the early 1940s, when still only a teenager, Josef journeyed with his
family across Central Europe to Germany in a bid to escape the turmoil
in Romania brought about by the Second World War and the encroachment of
the Russians. He was sent to fight as an infantryman on the Eastern
Front with Russia, then served in Rommel's Afrika Korps in Tobruk, and
in Italy fought in the fierce Battle of Monte Cassino. He was wounded on
three occasions, and was awarded the Iron Cross for distinguished
service.
Following the post-war division of Germany into four separate zones,
Josef was separated from his father and siblings, who were trapped in
the Russian zone.
In 1951, an advertisement in a German newspaper brought Josef to the
newly established glass factory in Waterford, where he remained for
nearly four decades. Uniquely gifted, he created crystal masterpieces
that were presented to kings, queens, presidents and dignitaries of all
kinds, including a special commission given to Jackie Kennedy for her
children. Today, his glass is displayed in some of the most prestigious
buildings in the world, including Westminster Abbey in London and the
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston.
Called the 'Master of Masters' by John Hearne in his book Waterford
Crystal, Josef Cretzan was a remarkable talent who survived incredible
hardship and personal tragedies to hone his craft. Josef Cretzan died in
Waterford in 1990.
