New Jersey President Ralph D. Passero of AOKA Inc. Karate for Kids, located at 764 Broadway, recently received recognition from three major martial arts organizations. He is a Ninth Dan in Isshinryu Karate, as well as a retired full-contact karate fighter and kick boxer. Grandmaster Isaac Henry Jr., 10th Dan and the founder of The Beikoku Karate-Do Goyukai in Long Branch, N.J., presented Hanshi Passero with the Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award, one of the highest honors this organization has. In addition, Grandmaster Henry is one of the most respected martial arts grandmasters in the United States.
Soke Michael De Pasquale Jr., 10th Dan and president of the International Federation of Ju Jutsuans, awarded the Shogun Award to Hanshi Passero, and also inducted him into the IFOJJ Legion of Honor 2009 for his highest commitment to the martial arts and leadership values of the Shogunate for continuation to pursue excellence in the art of Isshinryu.
In the International Association of Martial Arts Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony in Woodbridge, N.J., Grandmaster Gary Alexander (10th Dan) awarded Hanshi Passero the 2009 American Life Martial Arts Patriot Recognition Award.
Hanshi Passero’s Bayonne school is committed to preserving the teachings and continuing the legacy of Don Nagle, who is credited with introducing the traditional martial art of Isshinryu Karate to the United States in 1957 upon returning from the Okinawa as a U.S. Marine. He also opened the first Isshinryu Karate School in Jacksonville, N.C., with a seven time all Marine Judo Champion, Ernie Cates, from Kodakan, Japan.
These awards were all presented in the month of November from three separate traditional martial arts organizations with lineage dating back to the early 1950s. Hanshi Passero has been inducted in numerous martial arts hall of fames throughout the country, and has been active as a student, competitor and sensei for over 42 years and is the president of Don Nagle’s American Okinawan Karate Association Inc., as well as a board member of American Isshinryu.
Dr. John Franconeri, sensei and a third degree black belt, was awarded the Bushido Award, also from the Martial Arts University. This award describes the way the warrior interacts with others in the martial arts. This code of ethics is held in the highest regard. Dr Franconeri continues his dedication to Isshinryu and improves his teaching abilities by working with adults and with the children’s class. His time as an instructor is all volunteer, and his loyalty and knowledge of the art is the quality of a true black belt.
Grandmaster Don Nagle’s legacy is known worldwide, and at each one of these martial arts award ceremonies, some one has a story of Isshinryu’s legend. All of these awards are a tribute to the late Grandmaster Don Nagle’s life.