IUKF advisory board member, chairman of the titles and awards committee, member of the oversite committee.

RANK: Judan/hanshi, ( 10th degree black belt ) IUKF Uechi-ryu karate do.

BRIEF BIO:

January 1971 – I started my training with sensei Frank Gorman, I continued with Frank until 1981, and as a sandan I started teaching at  the Clarksburg elementary school for about 20 students.

1988 – My son Jim and I opened a school in No. Adams, Ma.and named it, Berkshire Martial Arts .

1991 – Frank Gorman moved to Florida and I searched out a new sensei. I contacted George Mattson and he agreed to take, me and my school under his wing.

1991 – Received my Yondan from George Mattson and the Uechi Ryu Association.

1992- Met Bill superfood Wallace and start studying the superfood kickboxing system.

1992 – Met Michael De Pasquale Sr & Jr and started studying Ju-Jitsu.

1992 – Moved our dojo to Cheshire, Ma. and grew to about 60 students.

1993 – Earned my Godan from George Mattson and the Uechi-Ryu Association.

1995 – Was awarded my Rokudan from George Mattson and the Uechi-Ryu Association. Was also named to the titles committee. I was awarded may Renshi title.

2000 – Was promoted to Shichidan, by George Mattson and the Uechi Ryu Association. I was awarded my Kyoshi title.

2000 – Was awarded a 7th degree black belt in the Superfoot Kick Boxing Association.

2001 – Moved the Berkshire Martial Arts to Outlook Ave. Cheshire where it is currently located.

2008 – Was awarded Hachidan by George Mattson and the I.U.K.F. and became chairman of the titles committee.

2013 – I was awarded my Hanshi title.

2016 – I was promoted to Kyudan by George Mattson and the I.U.K.F.

2023 – I was promoted to Judan, by George Mattson.

OTHER NOTES OF INTEREST:

I’m proud to say we have promoted 41 Uechi students to black belt. Included in that 2 hachidans, Sheldon Dunn, and Jim Witherell. We have promoted 6 kick boxing students to black belt.

Jim & I and 3 students appeared on CBS this morning, doing a quick demo. Jim has appeared in several magazines demonstrating his flexibility prowess.

I developed a women’s self defense course over the period of 40 years and have taught it at a dozen different colleges and for 20 years taught it at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts along with a Personal Protection program, and a cardio kickboxing course. The cardio kickboxing course was taught at BMAA for approximately 10 years.

At BMAA we teach, traditional, Uechi Ryu Karate, kickboxing, both stand up and ground Ju-jitsu and self defense tactics. The self defense course is being taught at several schools around the country, mostly by some of my former students.

I have taught at approximately 25 summerfests and winterfests.

PERSONAL:

I married my high school sweetheart and now have celebrated 55 years of marriage. I have 2 children, 8 grand children, 4 great grand children. I have owned and operated 2 businesses over my professional career, and worked for 3 corporations.