Professor Wally Jay
May 29, 2011 - Our Great Grandmaster and Founder Professor Wally Jay, one of the last great martial artists, has passed on peacefully at 2:20 am California time in Redwood City Kaiser Hospital. Prof Jay experienced a stroke on Tuesday May 24th and on Saturday as per his previous wishes was removed from life support. He survived another 12 hours and had family and friends with him. The Jay Family extends their gratitude to those that were there to lend support and to those that had him in their prayers.
The Jay Family after discussion have decided that to honour his wishes, Prof Leon Jay should continue the seminar in Long Island and Small Circle Jujitsu Camp in Indiana, Wed. June the 1st and 3rd 4th and 5th respectively. He will then continue to California to be with family to make arrangements for the funeral.
We will post more information as needed and have also asked long time loyal family friend, Norm Johnson to post on facebook.
Thank you for your prayers and well wishes, The Jay Family
HACHIRO OKAZAKI
A Remembrance
Hachiro Okazaki, age 88, was born on January 7, 1922 in Hilo Hawaii.
He married Ruth Hifumi Suzuki in 1943. They had three children, a daughter Sharyn (Nathan) Waipa and twin sons Keith (Cheryl) and Clyde (Judy). He had four grandchildren Eric (Chiyoko), Amanda (Daniel) Hartman, Galen and Karyn) and two great-grandchildren (Kaito and Keina)
Following in his father’s footsteps (the late Professor Henry Seishiro Okazaki) he became a massage therapist and the proprietor of Nikko Restoration Massage. As a massage therapist, Hachiro, like his father, helped countless people with their health problems. Included among his patients were President Lyndon B. Johnson and Governor John A. Burns. Whatever their occupations were, he treated all with respect. Many became life long friends. As a young man, Hachiro learned Judo and Jujitsu from his father and became a very accomplished Judoka.
Hachiro loved and cherished many things. Foremost, his family was closest to his heart. He took them on weekly camping trips to the shores of Kahuku’s beaches. Several of his friends with their families joined them and together they created unforgettable memories.
In the last three years of his life, as he was battling life threatening illnesses, he was truly blessed by the care of his three children and their families. Every desire and even “whim” was granted. In addition to his children, Hachi was also blessed by having caregivers Ana, Nesi, and Nonga who really looked after him in many ways. They were always patient and handled him gently and lovingly. He was truly fortunate to have had such priceless loving care from all.
In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by sister Irene (Hideki) Nakamura, two sisters-in-law Jeanette Okazaki and Jean Okazaki of Gardena, CA, and nieces, nephews, and numerous cousins.
Hachiro lived life to its fullest. We will miss him.
Services will be held on Monday, September 27, 2010 at Hosoi Garden Mortuary. Visitation at 4:30 pm; services at 5:30 pm. Please no koden (monetary offerings) or flowers. Aloha attire
Read more: http://obits.staradvertiser.com/2010/09/22/hachiro-okazaki/#ixzz13SRBSBuK
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In memory of Sensei Jim Burgess
It was in his early years, prior to WWII, that Sensei Jim Burgess to the martial arts. While stationed in Puerto Rico, he taught escape and evasion tactics as time permitted.
From Puerto Rico, Sensei Jim Burgess was assigned to a bomber squadron in Guam where he was sent on a number of bombing missions. In 1945, he made a move to Okinawa, where he took advantage of an opportunity to train with some of the local black belts.
In 1946 he was discharged from the service, returning to civilian life with his wife and daughters.
In 1950 the family moved to Portland, OR, where Sensei Jim Burgess met up with Robert Dewer, who taught Sosuishitsu Ryu Jujitsu, Karate, and Judo. In 1982 he was appointed the Commissioner of all the SJJK dojos of the western US.
Sensei Jim Burgess was promoted to Yo Mokuroku in the early 1980s and received his Yodan from Jujitsu America in 1986. He was presented with Jujitsu America’s Instructor of the Year Award in 1988.
Sensei Jim Burgess closed his school in the mid 1990s and retired to King City. He still participated in many martial arts activities.
