Senseis Abe Belardo and Ismael Smiley Von sparring
Excerpt taken from my book: Torn Gi and the Number Two Lead Pencil. by Sensei Domi Tomate
This might not be the appropriate
time, but who cares, this is my book.
Rules in this case do not apply because it’s about Smiley, a dear close
friend. Since I’m not one with
exceptional writing talent, I write from the heart, and this is definitely one
of those times. Unfortunately, I just
heard he passed away after a courageous bout with cancer. This is sad because of all the people I
expected to grow old and gray, it would’ve been him. Ismael Manuel “Smiley” Von was a great
martial artist. We’ve known each other
for almost all of our lives, but it wasn’t until 1980 when I moved back from
the Bay Area that we became close. He
earned his black belt several years earlier and I was still a brown belt, one
kyo away from Shodan. Since moving to
Bakersfield, Abe’s Shotokan Karate Dojo left its presence in Delano, except for
a couple classes in a City Recreational Center.
I remembered clearly, it was at a time, when Abe was kicking the legs
from underneath me when Smiley walked in with his uniform. He had long curly hair and ready to work
out. Several months later, he and I took
over the dojo while Abe tended to his school in Bakersfield.
For the next three or four years,
he and I not only trained and promoted martial arts, we worked together at
Whitten Pumps and John Miksits Insurance Services before parting ways. Though there were many, one of the highlights
of our friendship was a karate tournament we organized together and a
transmission we rebuilt on my Mazda Rx4.
This was special because we did it without the convenience of a
transmission hoist. Muscle power!!!
When he moved from San Jose, he
truly wanted to make changes in his life that included being close with family
and friends and the martial arts community.
He moved back to the Bay Area where he thrived in oil field
construction, working up the ladder till he ultimately reached supervisor. He’d still be sitting nicely had it not been
for the cancer. To show how strong his
resolve was, he was diagnosed with the condition several years ago with a poor
prognosis. He received treatment and
beat the original illness until another virulent form attacked. Unfortunately, his weakened body could not
meet this new challenge. Though I
trashed talked, telling him that I could kick his ass anytime, anyplace; the
truth was that I could never match his strength, technique, speed and
courage. I’m not sure if this is
important but I’m going to write it anyway.
He was the first person I heard coined the phrase, “Talk shit eat
cookies” referring to anyone who spoke beyond his or her true capabilities,
whether it’s in martial arts, love of life, or doing your job. In other words, Smiley was a man of action
not talk.
Abe and I shared words and said
that we knew Smiley as the most vibrant, hard headed, hardnosed individual who
loved and lived life to the fullest.
I can say that he was a good friend and I will miss him dearly. Be with God my friend.
Thank you abe and Domi. My uncle smiley spoke of you both all the time. He had the utmost respect. He taught us that respect as well. My family appreciates your kind words. How to see you both at the services. Thank you again, sincerely Jeff.
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