Bill
Gregory's Kajukenpo and Pai Lum Kungfu
Grandmaster
Daniel K. Pai
Daniel
Kane Pai (Born: Daniel Kalimahae Pa'i) was born
in Kameula, Hawaii on April 4, 1930. His grandfather,
Pai Po-Fong, taught him the Pai Family martial
arts system (Pai-Lung Ch'uan-Fa). It is said
that Pai Po-Fong had sent Daniel to the '1 White
Lotus Monastery' (Pai-Lien Ssu / Byaku Ren Ji)
on the north coast of Okinawa. Daniel trained
in an art which we refer to as White Lotus Kempo
(Pai Lien P'ai /Bok Leen Pai) for five years
under a senior monk named Okamura. After the
end of World War II, Daniel studied Judo/Ju-jutsu
under H.S. Okazaki and Richard Takamoto. Daniel
also studied Okinawan Kempo under Richard Takamoto,
under whom he attained an 8th Dan in 1970.
Other people Daniel Pai Had trained with, or
was influenced by were Lum Tai-Yung (Fut-Gar),
Shigeru Nakamura (Okinawan Kempo), Gogen Yamaguchi
(Goju-Ryu), and Morhei Ueshiba (Aikido). From
the late 60's until his death in 1993 Daniel
K. Pai was a driving force in the spreading
of Chinese and Okinawan martial arts in North
America. Originally teaching Okinawan Kempo
& Goju-Ryu in the 50's and 60's and then
spreading his Kung-Fu method in the 70's, 80's
and 90's.
Some time around 1972, due to the passing of
one of his relatives (His Uncle; either a blood
relative or Kung-Fu relative), Dr. Pai inherited
the rank and title of Grandmaster in his family's
Kung-Fu Method (Pai-Lung Ch'uan-Fa). In the
early 1970's, Dr. Pai formed the 'Pai-Lum Association.'
During these early days, he also served as chief
instructor for both the 'USKA (Chinese Kempo
Division)' and the 'Canadian Fire Dragon Association'
while also serving on the board of directors
for the 'East Coast Karate Federation.' This
era peaked out with over 2400 students in fifty
plus 'Pai-Lum' and 'Fire Dragon' schools operating
in North America.
In the mid 70's the 'U.S. White Dragon Martial
Arts Society' was formed. and produced a team
that on July 4, 1976 was awarded a 'Certificate
of Merit' for superb achievement during the
Kuo-Shu demonstrations (held in Taipei, Republic
of China), by Tsai Hung-Wen, president of the
Kuo-Shu Federation. Dr. Pai's team participated
in the 2nd World Kuo-Shu Tournament in 1978
(Taipei, ROC.), leading to Dr. Pai's being appointed
'Delegate at Large' for the 'Chinese Kuo-Shu
Worldwide Promotion Association' (CKWPA).
The 3rd World Kuo-Shu Tournament was organized
by Daniel K. Pai and was held in 1980 (Hawaii,
USA). In 1983, Dr. Pai's U.S. team, participated
in the 4th World Kuo-Shu Tournament (Taipei,
ROC.). On November 10 of that year he was elected
as Vice president of the 2nd executive board
of the CKWPA. In 1984 Dr. Pai organized, and
served as President, of the CKWPA-USA Branch.
The 'Amateur Athletic Union' (AAU) appointed
Dr. Pai as delegate at large to the National
AAU Kung Fu committee and the 'International
Kung Fu Association' (IKFA), representing the
Florida State Region in April 1984.
The Summer of 1989 saw Dr. Pai organizing and
hosting the 6th World Kuo-Shu Tournament (Las
Vegas, Nevada, USA.). This was the last Major
Kuo-Shu event personally oversaw by Dr. Pai,
as his tenure as President of the 'International
Chinese Kuo-Shu Federation - U.S.A' (formerly
CKWPA-USA) came to an end in late 1990.
The
Gentle Giant of Martial Arts: Grandmaster Bill
Gregory
Bill Gregory, Pai Meng Hu, White Mighty Tiger,
an adopted grandson of the late Dr. Daniel K.
Pai, was a martial artist from the depths of
his soul. As one of the first in this
country to train and teach martial arts in formal
and traditional ways, Bill Gregory was a pioneer
in the martial arts. A well-loved, much
honored and deeply respected man, he was inducted
into the American Karate Association's Hall
of Fame as the "Gentle Giant of Martial
Arts".
Born
to an Italian immigrant soldier father and a
loving, artistic mother, Bill carried a deep
warrior's hunger for beauty, grace and personal
excellence. He appreciated the beauty
of nature and cultivated a Japanese garden in
the backyard of his home that would rival one
of royalty. As a young man, his interest
grew and fueled his pursuit of the martial arts
and ancient weapons. This allure flourished
into a lifetime commitment and dedication to
training, teaching, mentoring and a quest for
excellence in the martial arts.
In
his early years, Bill Gregory studied many styles
of martial arts, attaining levels of excellence
in Japanese Kenpo, Chinese Kenpo Judo, Jujitsu,
Aikido and Pai Lum Kung Fu. He received
his training and the foundation of his life
long commitment from many of the great instructors
including Kili Kujiama, the late Professor Nick
Cerio, Master Mas Oyama, Bernard DeCasare, Master
Tadashi Yamashita and the late Grandmaster Daniel
K. Pai.
Bill
Gregory's grace, humility and power, caught
the eye of Dr. Daniel Kane Pai (Pai Lum, White
Dragon system) in the late 1960's and a new
aspect of his training began. Over the
next 25 years, Bill Gregory invited Dr. Pai
to his Kajukenpo School of Karate in Rhode Island,
and they hosted numerous clinics and workshops.
In 1990, Dr. Pai promoted Bill Gregory to the
rank of 7th level Dragon;
an honored position held only by a handful of
men. Their professional association, as
well as a deep respect and friendship held Dr.
Pai and Bill Gregory together until Dr. Pai's
death in 1993.
Bill
Gregory founded the Kajukenpo Pai Lum Federation
(KPLF) for the sole purpose of educating men,
women and children in the ancient traditions
of the martial arts. Grandmaster Bill Gregory
dedicated his life to preserving the traditional
training and teachings of Kajukenpo Pai Lum.
Throughout his life, he held positions in his
local community and within the martial arts
community, to insure the ancient ways were preserved.
Some of these positions included the Rhode Island
Coordinator for the Better Business Bureau of
Martial Arts, the East Coast Director for the
American Karate Association and the Deputy Secretary
General U.S. Chinese Kuo Shou Federation.
Grandmaster
Gregory believed in the spirit of the Dragon.
A spirit that encourages us to help others in
whatever way we can. The best way he knew
how was through the Kajukenpo Pai Lum Federation.
Over the years, he directed and hosted a variety
of martial arts tournaments raising money for
charities such as Muscular Dystrophy and the
Big Brothers and Sisters. For the last
13 years, he was the Grand Marshal at the White
Dragon Fitness Center's "Kick for Cancer"
tournament in New Hampshire, raising thousands
of dollars for local hospice programs.
In
1995 at a ceremony in Naples, Florida, after
a traditional year of mourning for Dr. Pai,
Bill Gregory was awarded the highest honor any
martial artist can receive; the title of Grandmaster.
He was a humble man at heart and it was with
a full sense of honor and duty that he accepted
the position of Grandmaster of the Kajukenpo
part of the Pai Lum family. Grandmaster
Thomas St. Charles, Pai Shinzan, first adopted
son of Lung Pai (Dr. Pai), granted the title.
With
friendship, honor, respect and compassion, he
expected no less than excellence from his students,
which included schools from Florida to New England
and stretching up into Canada. His loss
leaves a vast emptiness and deep ache in the
hearts of those who knew him, yet he also instilled
the Dragon's fire, honor, respect, responsibility
and duty to ensure that his most loved art continues.
As
the leader of the Kajukenpo Pail Lum Family,
Grandmaster Gregory's endless desire was that
his family remained strong and continually growing
in the traditions of the ancient martial arts.
In his plan for the future and by his final
letter, Grandmaster Gregory named a senior
Disciple, Georganne R. Verigan, Zhong
Hu (Loyal Tiger), 7th level
Black Sash, as the new leader of the Kajukenpo
Pail Lum Federation.
Grandmaster
Gregory modeled his own philosophy. Pai
Lum is a way of life which encourages everyone
to realize their full potential and to be better
people by training body, soul and spirit.
He dedicated his life to sharing the tools,
skills and values necessary to cultivate such
growth and in the end; his final words were
those of sharing this love. He was indeed,
an amazing man and one of the few that deserved
to be called DRAGON.
Grandmaster
Georganne Verigan
Grandmaster
Verigan started training in the Martial Arts
in the early 1970s. She achieved the rank of
2nd Degree Black Belt in (Nidan) in Kajukenpo
(Chinese Kenpo) in 1980. Trained in Tai Kwon
Do, Shotokan, Wah Lum Kung Fu, Ju-Jitsu, Ba
Qua, Aikido and Pai Lum (White Dragon Kung Fu)
5th Level Black Sash in 1997, 7th Level Black
Sash in October 2001 and upon the death of her
teacher Grandmaster Bill Gregory, she was named
successor and Grandmaster of the Kajukenpo Pai
Lum Federation in November 2001.
In
early 1980s she began training with Grandmaster
William Gregory (Pai Meng Hu), a senior disciple
of Professor Daniel K. Pai. (Pai Tien Lung)
and had the honor of training with Dr. Pai in
Pai Lum Kung Fu, Tai Chi and Swordplay.
Grandmaster
Verigan opened a Martial Arts School in Acton,
MA in 1978 teaching Kajukenpo. In 1986,
she moved to New Hampshire and began teaching
Kung Fu and started the White Dragon Fitness
Center. The White Dragon Fitness Center participates
in many community functions such as parades,
demonstrations, benefit tournaments and community
projects.
In
1990 Grandmaster Verigan started the annual
KICK FOR CANCER Martial Arts Tournament. The
purpose is to teach students how to give back
to their community and to help them to realize
that at sometime in our lives we all will know
someone who will need the services provided
by hospice. Each year proceeds of this tournament
go to support the local HOSPICE programs. 2004
will be the 15th year for the KICK FOR CANCER
Tournament.
Grandmaster
Verigan developed and presented many different
community seminars and programs; Tai Chi for
Senior (a volunteer instructor) and Tai Chi
in Senior Communities in the Concord, NH area;
WomenÕs self Defense Training (both personal
and for Home Health Care Workers); Self-Defense
Training Seminars for Law Enforcement personnel
and Personal Awareness and Self-Defense for
the Human Co-OP Services, Worcester, MA.
Grandmaster
Verigan is a Community Instructor of Tai Chi
in various Health care and Wellness Centers.
This instruction ranges from the fit and able
to the elderly and debilitated. She also speaks
at a variety of community, youth and professional
groups.
Family
Lineage
Grandmaster Bill Gregory
Grandmaster Georganne
All members listed below have received a ranking
by Dr. Daniel Pai, Grandmaster Bill Gregory
or Grandmaster Georganne Verigan in Pai Lum,
Kajukenpo or Kajukenpo Pai Lum.
Arcuri,
Joseph
Babbitt, Charles
Baiocchetti, Vinnie
Barrett, Walter
Bartlett, Eric
Bernard, Thomas
Bodah, Mike
Bonina, Mark
Calliconne, Ken
Catenzarro, Phil
Commella, Richard
Cretella, Gino
D'Antuono, Anthony
Deane, Daniel
Di Panni, Tony
Dolan, Mike
Dudek, Jeremey
Duhammell, Ken
Ebner, Jeff
Estling, Robert
Faucher, Kyle
Fenton, Matt
Fraheley, Robert
Geisert, Sharyl
Gibbons, Jackie
Hamel, Joyce
Henderson, Shane
Lacroix, Roger |
Landino, Tanya
MacLellan, Larry
Marsalla, Ken
Mattioli, Rick
Mc Dermott, Mike
Morrell, Mike
Moulton, James
Pickowicz, Christina
Pickowicz, George
Pickowicz, Katherine
Pineiro, Pedro
Plante, Suzanne
Ponti, James
Rafeal, Jamie
Shear, Skip
Simonne, Derek
Sottis, Peter
Spagnuolo, Frank
Stearns, Jessica
Stockwell, Arlene
Strok, Ed
Sykie, David
Taylor, Lonnie
Thorson, Mark
Viola, Mike
Webber, Phylis
Wright, Newell
Yonaitis, Ryan |
