The One That Stayed

In 1970 or so, I was looking for any form of employment to hold me over until I found a real job. I was able to talk my way into an entry-level position at a local drafting company. Back then, I was wearing my hair long. So there I was, sitting at my drawing board, trying to pass the time. I was a second-degree black belt and was always seen with a copy of Black Belt magazine close at hand. One of my fellow employees, also with long hair, saw me reading the magazine and inquired about taking lessons. Two people from the company began taking classes. The other person lasted less than a month. The inquiring gentleman did stay, and today he is a seventh-degree black belt in our Dojo, an instructor of Kobudo, a student of Tai Chi, and the dearest friend—his name: Anthony DelGiudice.

Anthony DelGiudice, or Tony as we know him, began his martial arts in a field across from where we worked. Over the next eleven years, we trained in more places than I recall. We taught in parks, apartments, basements, over bars, churches, frat houses, school gyms, etc. Half the fun we had was locating new places to train. Tony was the first student I had promoted to a first-degree black belt.

Back in the early days, hundreds of students would enroll in a free class we offered at the Livingston, NJ, Recreation Department. Our classes were large, and the two of us had to run from group to group. At the end of every class, we had to go out to unwind. This is where some of the best learning took place. We should have purchased stock in the Town Pub in Bloomfield, our home away from home. And speaking of homes, I had a permanent space on Tony's living room couch. His wife, Cathye, although she never formally trained, has an incredible grasp of Karate. He was the only person we ever promoted to honorary first-degree black belt. She knew the Katas as well as anyone. I stayed close to his three children, especially little Tony.

When I moved to Florida, Tony kept the New Jersey Dojo alive. He was instrumental in everyone's development. He is the senior member of the Board of Black Belts that did convene for all the black belt promotions. To Tony, Karate is not a sport, hobby, or occasional pastime but a way of life. He has always trained to achieve personal excellence, not certificates or belts. He has been an essential part of Bushido Karate Dojo for over fifty years.

More than just an instructor, Tony's presence on the floor is incredible. He has a certain grace and a flow about him. He never had a closed mind, open to learning from the moment. A man of his word, he is an individual who fully understands the meaning of honor, loyalty, and most of Budo.

He is a model for present-day martial arts to strive for. It has been my honor to have trained with him, and value his friendship.

Domo Arigato Gozaimasu.