Grandmaster J. Michael Amodeo
School Founder
The Passing of a True Warrior
- Master Betty Amodeo
First I want to say
thank you to everyone for all the prayers and support for Master Amodeo and
myself. He was diagnosed with Lung Cancer in March 2004. Being the Warrior
that he was, he approached his illness like everything else in his
life….with a positive attitude and indomitable spirit. He chose to fight his
battle very privately for many months.
During his many
chemotherapy and radiation treatments he continued to teach Tae Kwon Do and
never missed a day of work. As his illness progressed he was forced to cut
back on his schedule and spend his energy on daily living. He never stopped
contributing his ideas and motivating spirit to Gateway Martial Arts. The
day before he passed he was talking to Master Ogle about what point
fighting drills would help the students! His spirit
will always live on at Gateway through his teachings and the many students
he has touched...
"What we
do for ourselves dies with us.
What we do
for others is Immortal."
-Grandmaster
M. Amodeo
Memorial Wall at Gateway
Upon hearing about Master Amodeo's death, Grandmaster Young
Seon Seo called me and told me a story: He recalled the last time he had
seen Master Amodeo at a local tournament and Master Amodeo had expressed
regret on not being able to achieve the rank of Grandmaster due to his
illness. Master Seo told me he wanted to award the rank of 8th Dan to Master
Amodeo at this time so his accomplishments in Tae Kwon Do would be
appropriately recognized... Grandmaster J. Michael Amodeo...
I was honored to accept the #801 8th Dan
Certificate from the United TKD Association for my husband and best friend
of 18 years. There is a Memorial Wall in the plans for this modern day
Warrior as a tribute to the founder of Gateway Martial Arts and a man who
touched so many lives. He gave us our school motto: Actions speak louder
that Words. Thank you again for the cards, flowers, food, prayers, love and
support. I so appreciate everything.
- Master Betty Amodeo
