Essence of Isshinryu

06/05/2026

As your senior students retire from their jobs and move on with their life you feel like you lose a part of you as an Instructor.
This one is particularly tough for me as Jim Pase has been my loyal student, confidant and best friend for 35+ years.
He’s retiring from the Suffolk County Police Department where he recently received his gold shield as a detective.
This decorated Police Officer opened his own dojo, American Isshinryu of New York and produced several Champions and Grand Champions including his Son Wes and his daughter Julia who both went on to become excellent Sensei’s in their own right.
To date I believe Jim produced more Black Belts than I did.
Before his move to Florida the end of this month, our Brotherhood wanted to celebrate him one last time.
We did so with laughs, tears and prayers.
That being said, please congratulate Jim on this high honor of being promoted to Hachi Dan.

As a footnote, My Sensei GM McGrath always said “Rank follows the man”
In Jims case that’s a no brainer. Integrity, honesty and loyalty all in one man!

02/25/2026

So many great pics turning up of this Isshinryu Icon…
RIP Hanshi Ralph Passero👊🥋❤️✝️
Feel free to share if you have any.

02/05/2026

Essence of Isshinryu recognizes the career of Rich VonVoigt.
Besides being a close family friend through his Brother Kenny, my old business partner. Rich is an Accomplished Martial Artist, Police Officer and modern day John Wayne.
Raised by a tough WW 2 Navy Veteran, Rich’s career in law enforcement started in 1968 when he became a New York City transit authority police officer. After five years he transferred to the Riverhead Police Department where worked for the next 25 years.
During that time he earned his gold shield as a detective and was the department’s Police Officer of the year in 1990.
Always up for a challenge, Rich started his martial arts training in his late 30s under Joe Schirripa and eventually earned his black belt under renowned Tae Kwon Do/Tang Soo Do Instructor Darwin Haynes.
Rich had the opportunity to train with different instructors over the years most notably the late, great Arthur Cohen, working on ground fighting.
Rich also attended Street defense seminars ran by the FBI, Nassau & Suffolk County Police Departments. That eventually led to his desire to start teaching Self Defense Tactics to his fellow Officers at the Riverhead PD from 1994-1999.
Rich eventually became one of my students where his knowledge and tough eclectic style were a perfect fit for Isshinryu.
He went on to become one of my Black Belts but there were plenty of times my students and I learned from him over the years.
Over the years, He and I always made a great team conducting seminars and teaching together at different Dojos.
Even though retired Rich continues to work security at public and private venues.
He’s also a Patriot Guard Rider where the group honors fallen Military heroes, first responders and honorably discharged veterans at Memorial services.
Rich and his wife Donna have 3 Adult children and they will soon be Grandparents to grandchild #7.
As a footnote his two sons Richard Jr. and David are also Riverhead Police officers, which says a lot about a mans character when they wanted to follow in Dad’s footsteps.
I can’t say enough great things about this Man other than I love and respect him like my own Brother.

06/10/2025

06/10/2025

Happy 90th Birthday in Heaven to our Sensei, the late great Ed McGrath.
Not a day passes where you’re not in our thoughts.

10/20/2024

Great Day of training and sharing with Hanshi Brian Fitzgerald, his students and students of the late great Ernie Temple…
All Proceeds from the day went to a great cause….
German Shepard Rescue New Jersey
www.gsrnj.org

09/15/2024

Another successful Seminar and Shiai presented by Hanshi Phil Little and the USIKA👊🏻

12/20/2023

Thinking of you today and always. Will never forget the tremendous impact you made on our lives❤️

RIP-
GM Edward F. McGrath
6/10/35 - 12/20/14

09/13/2023

Essence of Isshinryu congratulates Sensei Jerry Mosca on his promotion to San Dan (3rd Degree Black Belt) and the opening of his Dojo, Del Webb Isshinryu Warriors in Myrtle Beach South Carolina.
After training in Tae Kwon Do and American Combat Karate, Dojo of Renowned Breaking Master Richie Barathy, Jerry found his niche and started training at Frank Black’s school of Isshinryu in 1992.
Being a Dog control Officer most of his career and having many altercations with Dangerous Dogs ( A few which I’ve seen ) Jerry brought a no fear attitude into the Dojo. Because of his great power and the ability to cripple some of his competition from visiting Dojos and fold a 100 lb. Heavy Bag in half, He became known as Iron Hands but was affectionately called Big Papa in the Dojo…
He survived a near fatal auto collision in 1995 where Doctors contemplated amputating his leg but with a lot of toughness and a little Isshinryu Spirit he fought his way back for the better part of the year and continued his training, eventually teaching in the Dojo as well.
After 38 years of Service with Town of Huntington where he eventually became The Animal Shelter Supervisor, Jerry retired and moved to Myrtle Beach with his wife Dawn. They have two Daughters that still reside in New York.
Jerry is also an Avid Fisherman and just recently became a certified personal trainer as well.

Congratulations Old Friend! You are sorely missed but South Carolina got a good one!

07/21/2023

Celebrating a unique and lasting Brotherhood with the Elkton Dojo
Thank You Ronnie Cimorosi and Jesús M. Jiménez for sending your school patch at my request..
What an awesome way of honoring GM Toby Cooling and Master Barry Smith👊
It will be displayed in my Dojo with the other Isshinryu greats!