Instructor Bio continued | gateway-martial-arts

Instructors Continued...

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

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