Memorial to Jack Summers

Obituary from the Boston Globe:

SUMMERS, John V. Jack Of Quincy, formerly of Canton, died June 18, 2014. Jack was a member of the Greatest Generation, and served in the Marines during WWII. He was wounded in Iwo Jima and received the Purple Heart. His family was the focal point of his life and he certainly enjoyed the time they spent together. About 50 years ago he came upon the second love of his life, Karate. He was a 10th Degree Black Belt Master of Uechi-Ryu, a style of Karate, and taught at many locations around greater Boston. Jack was a member of the Randolph VFW and Disabled American Veterans. He was a humble, gentle and loving man who will be greatly missed. Beloved husband of Claire (Carroll) Summers of Quincy. Loving father of Lynn Summers of NJ, Stephen Summers and his partner Glen Gonzalez of Houston, TX, John Summers and his wife Rosetta of Braintree, and the late Scott Summers. Brother of Doris Alberta of Medfield. Grandpa to Alessandra, Michael, Juliana, Thomas, John, and Gigi. Also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Monday 4-8 PM in the Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock St., QUINCY. A funeral service will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10:30 AM in Keohane Funeral Home, Quincy. Burial in St. Mary's Cemetery, Randolph. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jack may be made to American Brain Tumor Association, 8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Ste 550, Chicago, IL 60631 or Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. See www.Keohane.com or call 1-800-Keohane for directions and online condolences.

Published in The Boston Globe from June 20 to June 21, 2014 - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/bostonglobe/obituary.aspx?pid=171415479#sthash.ZOLDJuS6.dpuf

Jack's Biography from www.womenskaratetour.org:

Jack Summers: Kyoshi Hachidan, 8th Degree Black Belt In 1943, John Summers, at the age of 17 ½ , enlisted in the US Marine Corps. A decorated World War II warrior; he fought in the Pacific and was wounded at the battle of Iwo Jima. John Summers, better known as "Jack," has been training in the martial arts since the early 1950's. Jack began his studies with training in Jujitsu and Kodokan Judo at a local YMCA. Studying at an early age under his Uncle Eddie Summers, a professional boxer, added another dimension to the skills that Jack continues to offer his students today. He began his study of Uechi Ryu in 1963 with Steven Warwick, at George E. Mattson’s Columbus Avenue School in Boston. Always wanting to improve on his own knowledge and understanding of Uechi Ryu; Jack first visited Okinawa in 1978 at the same time that Peggy Hess, a student, was there, and subsequently both developed a relationship with the Okinawan masters that still flourishes today. Over the years Jack has overseen and ran many dojos producing top level knowledgeable student black belts. Presently he oversees the Institute of Okinawan Karate in Quincy, Massachusetts. Being a true pioneer, Jack was one of the first teachers to recognize and apply the concept of cross training by adding a blend of his Jujitsu, Judo, and Boxing to his karate teachings. Often he would even travel to Rhode Island to train with the now famous Heil Cho. He shares many qualities with his instructor, Minoru Miyagi, whose teaching method is very serious, deeply rooted and intense. They both get a lot across without saying very much and while they’re watching you, you’re important, not them. Steven Banchick, a senior student of over 30 years says, “Jack is modeled after no one,” “He is the one you would want to model yourself after. Jack is a unique guy with lots of integrity.” Although a traditionalist he is not a purest; Jack believes in taking all applications one step further. But he truly believes in and loves his beloved Uechi Ryu Karate Do. Today, Jack, a teacher's teacher, travels all over the world studying, training and teaching. He is known for his sayings, “Power comes from controlling the centerline,” and “Controlling our base controls our hip line, which controls our centerline, our bodyline, and our powerline.” Jack’s evolution of the Uechi system has been an additive process, never removing anything, but a result of research, experimentation, and Jack’s own technical proficiency. Perfecting this synthesis of techniques has been Jack’s 40-year quest. Today Jack oversees the training and testing of over 15 Shohei Uechi Ryu dojos in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Florida. A true warrior and 100% bushido, Jack eats, sleeps, and lives his martial arts.



Home Dojo Staff Students Schedule Uechi Okinawa and Karatedo Links Contact Us	Memorial to Jack Summers Obituary from the Boston Globe: SUMMERS, John V. Jack Of Quincy, formerly of Canton, died June 18, 2014. Jack was a member of the Greatest Generation, and served in the Marines during WWII. He was wounded in Iwo Jima and received the Purple Heart. His family was the focal point of his life and he certainly enjoyed the time they spent together. About 50 years ago he came upon the second love of his life, Karate. He was a 10th Degree Black Belt Master of Uechi-Ryu, a style of Karate, and taught at many locations around greater Boston. Jack was a member of the Randolph VFW and Disabled American Veterans. He was a humble, gentle and loving man who will be greatly missed. Beloved husband of Claire (Carroll) Summers of Quincy. Loving father of Lynn Summers of NJ, Stephen Summers and his partner Glen Gonzalez of Houston, TX, John Summers and his wife Rosetta of Braintree, and the late Scott Summers. Brother of Doris Alberta of Medfield. Grandpa to Alessandra, Michael, Juliana, Thomas, John, and Gigi. Also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Monday 4-8 PM in the Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock St., QUINCY. A funeral service will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10:30 AM in Keohane Funeral Home, Quincy. Burial in St. Mary's Cemetery, Randolph. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Jack may be made to American Brain Tumor Association, 8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Ste 550, Chicago, IL 60631 or Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. See www.Keohane.com or call 1-800-Keohane for directions and online condolences. Published in The Boston Globe from June 20 to June 21, 2014 - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/bostonglobe/obituary.aspx?pid=171415479#sthash.ZOLDJuS6.dpuf Jack's Biography from www.womenskaratetour.org: Jack Summers: Kyoshi Hachidan, 8th Degree Black Belt In 1943, John Summers, at the age of 17 ½ , enlisted in the US Marine Corps. A decorated World War II warrior; he fought in the Pacific and was wounded at the battle of Iwo Jima. John Summers, better known as "Jack," has been training in the martial arts since the early 1950's. Jack began his studies with training in Jujitsu and Kodokan Judo at a local YMCA. Studying at an early age under his Uncle Eddie Summers, a professional boxer, added another dimension to the skills that Jack continues to offer his students today. He began his study of Uechi Ryu in 1963 with Steven Warwick, at George E. Mattson’s Columbus Avenue School in Boston. Always wanting to improve on his own knowledge and understanding of Uechi Ryu; Jack first visited Okinawa in 1978 at the same time that Peggy Hess, a student, was there, and subsequently both developed a relationship with the Okinawan masters that still flourishes today. Over the years Jack has overseen and ran many dojos producing top level knowledgeable student black belts. Presently he oversees the Institute of Okinawan Karate in Quincy, Massachusetts. Being a true pioneer, Jack was one of the first teachers to recognize and apply the concept of cross training by adding a blend of his Jujitsu, Judo, and Boxing to his karate teachings. Often he would even travel to Rhode Island to train with the now famous Heil Cho. He shares many qualities with his instructor, Minoru Miyagi, whose teaching method is very serious, deeply rooted and intense. They both get a lot across without saying very much and while they’re watching you, you’re important, not them. Steven Banchick, a senior student of over 30 years says, “Jack is modeled after no one,” “He is the one you would want to model yourself after. Jack is a unique guy with lots of integrity.” Although a traditionalist he is not a purest; Jack believes in taking all applications one step further. But he truly believes in and loves his beloved Uechi Ryu Karate Do. Today, Jack, a teacher's teacher, travels all over the world studying, training and teaching. He is known for his sayings, “Power comes from controlling the centerline,” and “Controlling our base controls our hip line, which controls our centerline, our bodyline, and our powerline.” Jack’s evolution of the Uechi system has been an additive process, never removing anything, but a result of research, experimentation, and Jack’s own technical proficiency. Perfecting this synthesis of techniques has been Jack’s 40-year quest. Today Jack oversees the training and testing of over 15 Shohei Uechi Ryu dojos in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Florida. A true warrior and 100% bushido, Jack eats, sleeps, and lives his martial arts. Home \| Uechi \| Okinawa and Karatedo \| Dojo \| Schedule \| Staff \| Students \| Links \| Contact 420 Turnpike St., Canton, MA 02021 at American Grit MMA \| email: stodojo@aol.com