It is with deep regret, that I announce the passing of an old friend and mentor, Hanshi, Charles Bonet.
I had the good fortune to train and spend a good deal of time with him back in the 1970's. The movie that he made with Shidoshi Ron VanClief had just come out in NY, and NJ theaters.
He was having some trouble with the land lord of the building in which he had a dojo in the Bronx, so after a conversation with, and an offer by my friend and senior, Kenkojuku ShotoKan instructor, Cecilio Ortiz, he wound up relocating his class across the George Washington Bridge, to the dojo that I was apprentice teaching at. The name of this school was The Ridgefield Self Defense Academy.
Angelo Gomez, Charles Bonet, and Cecilio Ortiz, at The Ridgefield Self Defense Academy
Charles Bonet and Cecilio Ortiz, at the Ridgefield Self Defense Academy
I had the opportunity to befriend, train under, and socialize quite a bit with Hanshi Bonet during this time. As a matter of fact, he chose The Ridgefield Self Defense Academy as the location for the filming of the dojo segments of his next movie Death Promise. I had the honor of being present on set for all of that filming. In another segment of the movie, throwing stars are used. Another one of my claims to fame, is that when asked if there were any martial arts supply stores in the area as for them to purchase the stars that would be used in the filming, I took Hanshi Bonet and the others to a Chinese gift shop / Kung Fu supply store in Union City N.J., where the stars were obtained.
Here you will see a scene that was filmed at our dojo.
Considering that Hanshi, Bonet was pretty much a Chop Sockey Movie Star at the time, he was also very friendly. On the dojo floor, he was extremely strict, but after class he was very cool, and often would drive miles out of his way to give me a ride home in his sporty Volkswagen Karmann Ghia.
Hanshi, Bonet served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam war.
Although he was already quite versed in the arts, while on Okinawa, he trained extensively with GMstr. Eizo Shimabuku in the ShoBayashi style of ShoRin Ryu KaraTe. It was because of this, that I knew to seek out GMstr. Shimabuku on Okinawa in Kin Village across the street from Marine Corps Base Camp Hanson.
GMstr. Eizo Shimabuku and Hanshi Charles Bonet.
Charles Bonet on Okinawa.
He was also very active with the Martial Arts For The Handicapped Organization.
During his travels as a Martial Arts film star along with Shidoshi Ron VanClief, Hanshi Bonet was accepted and recognized for his mastery by the likes of Wing Chun GMstr. Leung Ting.
He later became the head of his own organization ShoRin Kai International.
Hanshi Bonet left quite a legacy of students, such as Hanshi Luis Fernandez, and Kyoshi Stephen Rittersporn just to name a couple of the fine BuDoKa that he taught.
It was a pleasure to know him.
He will be missed.
