Career
He was a 10th-degree black belt (awarded by Victor Gascon) and had high-degree black belts in additional martial arts including judo, taewkondo, eskrima, and aikido. Pesare was a successful karate and judo competitor. Overcoming a childhood spent in and out of Rhode Island"s reform schools, Pesare entered the military and emerged with training as a jet mechanic and an interest in martial arts
Pesare returned to Rhode Island in 1962 and in that same year opened the first Kenpo Karate school in New England.
Known for grueling training and three-day-long black belt tests, Pesare soon gained a reputation and attracted many students. Among the few who completed his demanding curriculum were the influential martial artists Roger Carpenter, Nick Cerio, Linda Herzog, Doctor Gilman Whiting, Kurtis Parisi and Donna L. Vinbury, the first woman to obtain a 10th –degree black belt in kenpo.
Although he did not grant their original black belts, Pesare trained and awarded high-degree black belts to well known martial artists Cecil Andrews II, Steven A. Lombardi, Christine Bannon-Rodrigues, Don Rodrigues, Mark Sheeley, and Kathy and Joe Shuras. Senior Grand Master South. George Pesare died on October 14, 2012.
His school, George Pesare"s Kaito Gakko (School of Schools) in Providence, Rhode Island., continues to operate as the "Kenpo Karate Institute" a namesake for the original school and operated by senior Black Belts Dolores Bastone, Hubert Paquette, Marc Ayotte, and Michael Mullens.
George Pesare was a long-time law enforcement officer working with Rhode Island Sheriff"s offices. Pesare was also the President and Rhode Island Match Director of the Rhode Island Police Pistol Combat League.
