About me: Born Rochester NY, Moved to Manhattan became member Ironworkers Local 40. Traveled to Europe live there for years working as a photographer. Returned to US 1997 moved to North Carolina began teaching martial arts and publishing magazine American Samurai - Karate-do and Budo News. It is great to be back in NYC. Now very active working with web design and have gotten back together with old friends from Ironworking days. I look forward to contributing here again.
Spent my youth In Rochester NY and lived briefly in Kaneohe Hawaii. Began weightlifting as a teen in the 70’s at the YMCA and later became a member of Turner Barbell Club where I trained with bodybuilding legends Pete Grymkowski and Danny Padilla. In the mid 70’s began working as a bouncer in many clubs Penny Arcade, Eliot’s Nest, and Varsity Inn, Where I met many friends including my good buddy Howie Hubbereman. I still listen to music from the Good Rats.
Martial Arts became part of my life with an intro to Karate from friends Bob Loce and Judo with John Horton in the early 70’s. After several years frolicking at RIT a broken hand from a fight led me to a career as an Ironworker thanks to Joe Margiotta Sr. On a whim I moved to Manhattan in 81 to build skyscrapers and visit a good friend. Working on the UN DC-2 tower I met a fantastic group of characters Bob Mahoney, Walter Duma, John D, Jack Jacquin, Red O’Brien, Charlie Kent, and Don Moran in a great experience hanging steel in what became a top raising gang. I also met my wife to be Milen waving through the windows.
Atop these steel skeletons provided a great view and I purchased a camera and took advantage to document projects I was working on, that led to a passion for scenic and nature photography.
A mission to the Former Yugoslavia for Milen sent her to Sarajevo in 92 and later presented an opportunity to travel to Europe and we moved to Zagreb in 93 where my son Ryan attended the international school and I spent my days doing martial arts where I met my friend and Instructor Ilija Smoljenovic. I combined a love for martial arts and an ability to capture action in photos and began traveling to cover tournament, which led to writing articles and later publishing the magazine American Samurai - Karate-do and Budo News.
Between the Nature photography and martial arts I have traveled extensively learning a few different languages, travels have included most countries of Western Europe, South Africa, Philippines, and North America. I have made many trips to photograph pelagic birds including Alaska, Pribiloff Island’s and Newfoundland. I have also traversed the US many times by auto, van and motor home. On 911 I was en-route back from Prague covering a karate championship I was detoured to Canada as the US airspace was closed. I have not renewed my passport since that incident.
Currently Milen is back working at the UN in Manhattan. My son is at college in Rockland County NY. I have enjoyed publishing the American Samurai Magazine and living here in Cary, NC. I keep busy with work on the web, teaching at my dojo, working out and planning my next adventure. Always looking forward to meeting new friends and hearing from old ones! These days back in Manhattan doing web work and teaching a course at a local school. Enjoying meeting new people and networking. I would like to get more involved with construction again and local 40 and maybe the UN.
osu sensei bill, just dropping by to say hello & see how everything is with you... hope all is well, take care, & hope to see you soon... arigato sensei...
Billy.... wanted to touch base with you .... and hope you are doing well~ How is your mother feeling ????? When are you going to come back to NC???????????????????
I will cultivate a white rose in January as in June I will cultivate a white rose for my sincere friend and for the cruel who my heart crumbles, I will cultivate a white rose..... Cuban poet...:)
Cultivo una rosa blanca en junio como en enero Cultivo una rosa blanca para el amigo sincero y para aquel el cruel que el alma me arranca cultivo una rosa blanca.......
hey Bill... When are you coming back to NY..?..it was good seeing you at Purchase.... Please give your family my best for the holidays... Hope to see you soon
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