After a long and difficult Journey, Grandmaster Steve Abbate has passed away this weekend, while in the hospital.
For the ones who knew him, its a great loss. For the ones who did not know him, I am adding a short bio:
Master Abbate started his career in the Art of Kung Fu at age 16 in Chicago’s Chinatown. In 1962 he formally trained under Master Fu Lun Cho from Hong Kong, studying the arts of Tai Kit Kuen (Grand Snake Fist style) and Northern Shaolin 7-Star Praying Mantis.
In 1964 after graduation from Elmwood Park High School, Master Abbate joined the United States Marine Corps. In 1965 Master Abbate was sent to Vietnam, while serving as a recon scout with the 4th Marine Brigade out of Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. In Vietnam, he was part of the original Marines landing at Chu Lai. During his tour he was highly decorated and med-evaced in late 1966. In the course of his military career he went through Green Beret school and advanced Jump School training.
After his honorable discharge in 1968, Master Abbate joined the 24th Marines stationed in Waukegan, Illinois, where he taught Hand-to-Hand combat and guerilla jungle warfare. Master Abbate went on extended active duty and became a recruiter for the Marines.
In 1969, Master Abbate became a Police Officer in Rolling Meadows with the Rolling Meadows Police Department.
He was introduced to Grandmaster Chi Yuan Tsai, under whom he trained in Northern Shaolin Kung Fu. Grandmaster Tsai formally trained Master Abbate for his ring fighting career, where he competed on the international circuit, fighting Full-Contact in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Okinawa and the U.S., winning many titles in 10 years. Master Abbate was also introduced to Kwong Ming Loy, a Master in the Northern Shaolin 7-Star Praying Mantis system and a direct student of Grandmaster Fu Lun Cho, who had returned to Hong Kong soon after Master Abbate enlisted with the marines. In addition to his previous and ongoing training, Master Abbate studied under Master Wu of the Mei Wah system, Plum Flower Combat Tai Chi.
Master Abbate has taught thousands of students and gives seminars and demonstrations. In September of 2002, Master Abbate received his 10th level black sash from Grandmaster Tsai in an award ceremony at his school which was attended by pioneers of Kung Fu and Karate, such as Ken Knutson, Joe Gangi, Bob Schirmer, Tom Saviano, Tom Heriaud, and others from Florida and California.
Master Abbate held black belts in Kempo, Karate, and Gong Yuen Kung Fu and is associated with the American Karate Association, World Kuoshu Republic of China, Chinese Kuoshu Martial Arts Federation, Tsai's Kung Fu International, Tai Boxing Commission, Midwest Circuit, and is President of the American Martial Artists Association. Master Abbate was the Midwest representative for Chuck Norris' Kick (Karate International Council of Kickboxing).
He has attended Seminars and Trained with Ed Parker, Bill Wallace, and Bruce Lee, received over 300 awards for Full-Contact kickboxing, and Sport Contact Karate and continues to teach and train under Grandmaster Chi Yuan Tsai.
On a personal note, I studied with him for a few years 3 times a week, and he was one of the greatest in my book, not just because of the martial arts instruction but also as a human being.
Uwe
For the ones who knew him, its a great loss. For the ones who did not know him, I am adding a short bio:
Master Abbate started his career in the Art of Kung Fu at age 16 in Chicago’s Chinatown. In 1962 he formally trained under Master Fu Lun Cho from Hong Kong, studying the arts of Tai Kit Kuen (Grand Snake Fist style) and Northern Shaolin 7-Star Praying Mantis.
In 1964 after graduation from Elmwood Park High School, Master Abbate joined the United States Marine Corps. In 1965 Master Abbate was sent to Vietnam, while serving as a recon scout with the 4th Marine Brigade out of Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. In Vietnam, he was part of the original Marines landing at Chu Lai. During his tour he was highly decorated and med-evaced in late 1966. In the course of his military career he went through Green Beret school and advanced Jump School training.
After his honorable discharge in 1968, Master Abbate joined the 24th Marines stationed in Waukegan, Illinois, where he taught Hand-to-Hand combat and guerilla jungle warfare. Master Abbate went on extended active duty and became a recruiter for the Marines.
In 1969, Master Abbate became a Police Officer in Rolling Meadows with the Rolling Meadows Police Department.
He was introduced to Grandmaster Chi Yuan Tsai, under whom he trained in Northern Shaolin Kung Fu. Grandmaster Tsai formally trained Master Abbate for his ring fighting career, where he competed on the international circuit, fighting Full-Contact in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Okinawa and the U.S., winning many titles in 10 years. Master Abbate was also introduced to Kwong Ming Loy, a Master in the Northern Shaolin 7-Star Praying Mantis system and a direct student of Grandmaster Fu Lun Cho, who had returned to Hong Kong soon after Master Abbate enlisted with the marines. In addition to his previous and ongoing training, Master Abbate studied under Master Wu of the Mei Wah system, Plum Flower Combat Tai Chi.
Master Abbate has taught thousands of students and gives seminars and demonstrations. In September of 2002, Master Abbate received his 10th level black sash from Grandmaster Tsai in an award ceremony at his school which was attended by pioneers of Kung Fu and Karate, such as Ken Knutson, Joe Gangi, Bob Schirmer, Tom Saviano, Tom Heriaud, and others from Florida and California.
Master Abbate held black belts in Kempo, Karate, and Gong Yuen Kung Fu and is associated with the American Karate Association, World Kuoshu Republic of China, Chinese Kuoshu Martial Arts Federation, Tsai's Kung Fu International, Tai Boxing Commission, Midwest Circuit, and is President of the American Martial Artists Association. Master Abbate was the Midwest representative for Chuck Norris' Kick (Karate International Council of Kickboxing).
He has attended Seminars and Trained with Ed Parker, Bill Wallace, and Bruce Lee, received over 300 awards for Full-Contact kickboxing, and Sport Contact Karate and continues to teach and train under Grandmaster Chi Yuan Tsai.
On a personal note, I studied with him for a few years 3 times a week, and he was one of the greatest in my book, not just because of the martial arts instruction but also as a human being.
Uwe
Comment