John McSweeney legacy flyer

Mr. John McSweeney began his training in the martial arts while very young in boxing. In 1952, while serving a tour in the U.S. Army, he was stationed in Japan where he trained in Kodokan Judo. He achieved a rank of brown belt before returning to the U.S.          In 1959, Mr. McSweeney met Mr. Ed Parker. In late 1962, Mr. Parker awarded him a black belt. Mr. McSweeney was one of Mr. Parker's first black belts. That same year, in 1962, Mr. McSweeney left for Ireland and opened a school in Dublin. When Mr. McSweeney left Ireland, he left behind 4 black belts to carry on the legacy. Mr. McSweeney came to New York and opened a Kenpo school there, and due to his regular job, he eventually left New York. When he left, he left behind 3 black belts, one of which was Frank DeMaria. In 1980 Mr. McSweeney opened a school in Elmhurst, Il. His first black belts there were, Tom Saviano, Ray Korda, and Mike Vassolo. In 1995, Mr. McSweeney moved to Florida. When he died, he was wearing a 10th Deg. Black Belt in Kenpo, and an 8th Deg. Black Belt in Combato-Do.