John McSweeney (martial artist)

John McSweeney was a Kenpo practitioner born on October 19, 1927 in Brooklyn, New York.He was the first to introduce International Kenpo Karate Association Kenpo outside of the continental U.S. [ [http://www.kenpokarate.com/ikka.html kenpokarate.com: IKKA] ] He died from a massive heart attack on Tuesday February 26, 2002 at 2:00 pm at his home in Fort Meyers, Florida, USA.

Armed Forces career

In 1945 John entered the Navy and after boot camp he was assigned to gunnery school. [http://www.whitetigerkenpo.com/articles_mcsweeney.asp whitetigerkenpo.com: biography] ]

In 1946 after his discharge from the Navy, he entered St. John’s University in Brooklyn.

In 1950 after he earned a B.A. at St. Johns, he joined Air Force Officer Candidate School.

He was transferred to Tachikawa A.F.B. near Tokyo, Japan, where he enrolled in the Kodokan to study judo.

In 1953 he left the Navy with the rank of 1st Lieutenant.

Kenpo Years

In 1959, he met Edmund Parker, a Kenpo teacher.

In 1962, McSweeney received his black belt from Edmund Parker.

In 1962 he left for Dublin, Ireland to pursue his Masters Degree from Trinity College.

In 1969 he was returned to New York where he taught Kenpo Karate.

In 1979 he opened a martial arts school in Elmhurst, Illinois. He continued to teach there to the mid 90’s before he semi-retired.

Black Belt List

* Ireland Black Belt
** Maurice Mahon
** Thomas Jordan
** James Rice
** John Conway
* New York Black Belts
** Frank DeMaria
** John DePalo
* Illinois Black Belts
** Tom Saviano
** Mike Vassolo
** Ray Kord

References

External References

* [http://www.completemartialarts.com/whoswho/halloffame/johnmcsweeney.htm completemartialarts.com]
* [http://www.kenponet.com/flame/whoswho/whoswho/john_mcsweeney.html kenponet.com]