The Tasetano Family
Martial Arts and Marines
[click here to view pictures of dinner]
The Tasetano’s are one of those rare families that always do the right thing for their friends, relatives, acquaintances and martial artists.
As an example, in 1999, Frank and Kathy intended to honor Grand Master Don Nagle, but suddenly he was no longer with us. However at their annual Dinner in July 2000, they called me to the podium to present me with an excellent Samurai sword engraved in memory of my beloved Sensei. They also placed me in their Hall of Fame for a Lifetime of fighting and teaching.
In September 2002, as most karate-ka of Isshin-ryu already know, I underwent a horrible operation, which took 14 hours, for cancer primary cells in my esophagus. Unfortunately, it leaked and they went in again, the following day. I went into a coma for two and a half months, with Septic poisoning and double pneumonia. I got the last rites twice when my vitals crashed and my family was called in, on both occasions to say goodbye to me. But I am a tough Irishman and didn’t want to go and finally came out of the coma. I was not able to speak, since I had a trach in my throat, which drove me crazy. I went from a fit 170 lbs. to 126 lbs. and couldn’t move because I had no muscle left. I had to start physical therapy, which was tough. At that point, feeling that I lost everything that I had, my wife showed me a red jacket with insignia and my name and rank embroidered on it, which the Tasetano's had sent me, to cheer me up. It made me remember who I was and what I had done over four decades. I was a fighter and the jacket reinforced that and suddenly I was trying harder to walk and pushing my therapists.
They are also a Marine Corps family, established by Frank enlisting in the Corps and as he and Kathy married and their children, a young son and daughter,
Matured, they both joined the Corps. They also take part not only in their Dad’s dojo classes, but at this point they help as Instructors. Both of their children have seen duty overseas. Recently, they have formed a partnership, in brotherhood with the newly developed, “Marine Corps Martial Arts Association.”
This year, their Dinner and Tournament, were held at the Chateau Resort at Camelback, in the Delaware Water Gap, a beautiful venue. Every one of these events is done with class and an all-out effort to ensure that each participant is made at ease and has an enjoyable time. In this year of 2005, the Dinner started with a Marine Color Guard Presenting the Colors, with appropriate background music. My wife and I were at a table with Hank Garrett, who was the maniacal murderer in the movie, Three Days of the Condor, a part for which he received an “Oscar.” He was in many other movies and did TV, as well, as a steady part in “Car 54 Where Are You?” He turned out to be a great companion for the evening. Unassuming, understated, but a hilarious comedic talent who had us laughing throughout the night. He received an award for Outstanding Contributions To The Martial Arts. Master Woods, Gary Alexander’s number one and knew that Mr. Garret had also held records in weight lifting and as a professional wrestler. Having met many of the popular pros of that time, we had a lively conversation about wrestling and it’s stars in the fifties and sixties. I was called up to receive the award for “Pioneer Legend, Grand Master of the Year.” It was the first of the plaques awarded that night, but a surprise was to occur a bit later, when my wife was called up and awarded as the “Woman of the Year.” Grand Master Nagle had dubbed my wife as “The First Lady Of Isshin-ryu,” many years before, but this was a statement for all of the wives who patiently encouraged the first karate-ka's of the fifties, during their long attachment to our art. My wife had been constant in her encouragement, despite the fact that I never used my art for money, although it took my time and energy to last for nearly five decades. She sat in the stands at hundreds of tournaments, watching me on the deck and I would glance up to her every few minutes and gain a smile or wave for my efforts. She never griped when I was hurt and visited me every day, when I ruined my left knee in March of 1962. She was extremely happy and even made a short speech, to my astonishment, since she is a very private person. Sensei Nagle once told my wife that she should write a book, since she knew where all the bodies were buried. She never did it, because I might not have had any friends in the art.
As usual, the Tasetano's had done the “right thing.” Also, as usual, the Dinner was packed to the rafters. One of the things that I noticed during that night was that Kathy works very hard to set up the Dinner and Tournament, throughout the year and starts to prepare for the next event within weeks of the last event. She has every detail in her head, moving quietly in the background, while Frank is up front emceeing the event and he is great in that role.
But it is not their, now International Events, announced at 2005’s Dinner, that I most appreciate about their family, it is the fact that they are friends to all of these people who flow through their lives and care about what happens to them. I cannot say enough about them, beyond calling them close and special friends and Icons in the martial arts.
Ed McGrath, Ju-Dan
Grand Master, Isshin-ryu