Gateway Martial Arts
Actions speak
louder
than words
Share the Spirit
Founding Instructors
Grandmaster J. Michael Amodeo
School Founder
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
Grandmaster J. Michael Amodeo's dedication to Martial Arts for over 30 years has left a long trail of accomplishments. He started as an assistant instructor and worked his way up to a Kukkiwon Certified Sixth Dan Black Belt. He was voted Instructor of the Year in 1992 and was active in the betterment of Martial Arts throughout his career. He was respected by all that knew him, and devoted most of his life to teaching young and old alike about what he called
"The Journey."
Upon his death in 2006, he was awarded Eighth Dan Grandmaster by Grandmaster Young Seon Seo. His favorite quote was: "What we do for ourselves dies with us... what we do for others is immortal." Master Amodeo had a way about him that touched the lives of anyone who came to know him, young and old.
His spirit is forever present in our school and in our students. Thank you Grandmaster Amodeo for our school motto:
"Actions Speak Louder than Words"
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
Master Betty Amodeo
Master Instructor
Master Betty Amodeo has been studying Martial Arts for over 30 years. She is a Kukkiwon Certified 5th Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. Master Amodeo is also a Registered Nurse and Certified Personal Trainer. She played an important role as a Master Instructor and Office Manager.
Master Amodeo has held Referee Certification with the USTU and with the AAU. Her martial arts journey has included the study of Wing Chung, as well as earning a Black Belt in Hanmudo / Hapkido under Master Chaplin. She also studies and teaches “Chi Stix”, an ancient form of energy balancing exercises .Favorite Quotes:
"Discipline goes beyond personal desire." "If you don't take care of your body, where will you live?"
April 2009 Hapkido / Hanmudo Blackbelt Test
Master Denis M. Ogle
Master Instructor
Master Denis Ogle was Chief Master Instructor with over 40 years martial arts experience. Starting his studies of martial arts in 1974, he achieved his first Dan in 1980, and is currently a 5th Dan Kukkiwon Certified Black belt. He placed first in the 1994 U.S. National Taekwondo Championships in Olympic style sparring. He has organized and performed numerous martial arts demonstrations including everything from a World's Fair to local boy scout troops.
Master Ogle's passion and talent for teaching are proven by the quality students that have trained with him. He has coached over 20 national champions along with one of the members of the Junior Olympic team. Master Ogle's true concern is that his students become effective martial artists.
"Timing is Everything."
