I want to tell you about my friend Joseph.
In all ways, Joseph was a big guy: tall, muscular, enormous personality and generosity. Both a polymath and an autodidact, he was always amazingly well-read. He was possessed of a terrific sense of humor, and could go from more dry, subtle jokes to my kind of fifth-grade bathroom humor at any time. An absolutely enjoyable fellow to spend time with under any circumstances.
Joseph’s business was martial arts and fitness, both of which he did better than anyone else I ever worked with. Always experimenting, always learning, always innovating, he had achieved mastery in a number of martial arts, including Tracy’s Kenpo, Pentjak Silat, Wing Chun Kung Fu, Doce Pares Eskrima, and even Yang style Tai Chi Chuan, among others. Over time he began to bridge the gap between martial arts theory and real-world self-defense, making him a truly formidable instructor-trainer.
He had several higher-profile clients, including former Detroit Lions player Mike Utley, whom he helped with physical rehab after Utley’s paralysis, and former Stone Temple Pilots lead singer Scott Weiland.
I got to work with him on many instructional video projects, and the DVDs still hold pride of place front and center on my video shelf. He was a great man to work with: professional, eager, high-energy, always on.
Earlier I said he was a big guy. He’s now suffering from primary progressive aphasia, which is a type of dementia. It’s a dreadful thing to happen to such a great man. Dementia takes you away from your loved ones before it kills you, and for this to happen to Joseph is awful in a way that’s impossible to describe.
His daughter Carly is asking for your help to defray the cost of his care. Please click the link and give what you can. Or if you can’t afford to, share the link far and wide. Just a few years ago, Joseph had it all: a martial arts school in Wenatchee, Washington; a huge, beautiful property in Chelan; and a wife and family. This illness has taken so much from him, and he deserves comfort.
I wish you could’ve met Joseph when I knew him. I’m lucky to have been his friend.
I’d never ask this for myself, no matter what. Please help my friend Joseph.
I am deeply saddened by this. I do not know him personally, but I am very familiar with his martial arts DVDs, having seen most of them.
He came across just as you described: Knowledgeable, skilled, and a great sense of humor.
I am currently in a bad way financially, but when I get back on my feet, I will do what I can.
Hi, Jeff:
Thank you for writing. I pray your financial difficulties resolve soon; it’s very kind of you to think of Joseph.
Dave,
I have met and trained with sifu Joe. Hurts to hear this ….please contact me if possible..
Trained with him at Wind and Rock 03, 04, 05 and have on several other occasions in New York.
I have known Joe since 10th grade, when he was the new guy at our school and boy was he hot! I got a crush on him as I think every girl did. Joe and I had recently connected again when I lived in Chelan for 6 years about 5 years ago. I got to see his beautiful home, take walks full of conversation around the Chelan park, met his wife Addy and his son Joseph. He was ALL Joe-muscle, intellect and yes that humor, which at times I would say, Joe stop as he loved a little shock value. To now find out that he has this type of progressive brain disease is the absolutely last thing I would ever expect to happen to Joe-his commitment to his own physical health his genius intellect-I mean seriously Universe this is how he spends his last days on earth. My heart goes out to his family and to Joe. This just sucks.
Thank you for writing, Gail; it’s great to hear stories about Joseph from people who know him. He made such an impression on everyone he met, and I entirely agree: this just sucks.
I’m so sorry to hear this. I just discovered his YouTube videos and had been trying to get in touch with him, he made the martial arts look so effortless. My prayers are with him and his family.
Any updates on Joe’s condition?
I recently learned of Sifu Joseph’s passing…I’m deeply saddened and last saw him a couple of years ago.
We trained together for many years and I’ve leaned on him at rough times and learned from him about so many things.
I can honestly say he has been a large influence in more ways than just martial arts for me!!
RIP SIFU!!
Mark
I first met the sifu in Colorado Springs in 1992 while training with sifu Kerry Cantrell. He was an awesome instructor and very pateint (thank goodness ). I can only hope I do justice to the time
he gave me. He was a true badass.
He will be missed by all of us.
Hello
I followed sifu Joe’s videos on YouTube, and when he came out with his online school I was one of the first to join. Although I got to speak to him a couple times via phone, I never got the chance to meet him. I still practice his material daily. Does anyone know of someone who still teaches his art? I would love to formally finish the Slam Set.
Thank you
RIP Sir
I’m very sorry to hear of Joe’s illness and passing. I never got to meet Joe, but saw him do a demo back in the early 2000s at Gerald Okamura’s Dragon Festival in Southern California, where I also met Viktor de Thouars and several of his students. I think his Silat Concepts set which he did with his talented partner Addy Hernandez explaining his ideas is one of the great martial arts videos, and I still enjoy watching it after many years. Joe was a great martial artist and great human being and he will be deeply missed.
I met Joseph in 1986 at a Wing Chun seminar in Whistler BC given by master Wang Kiu. He was a powerhouse of a martial artist but was very humble and respectful at the seminar. I all was was a great person.