SENSEI
Those who made the road before
Ed McGrath
Isshinryu lineage: Tatsuo Shimabukuro → Don Nagle → Ed McGrath
Ed McGrath began his studies under Don Nagle in 1958, in the first Isshin-ryu dojo established in America. This dojo was situated in Jacksonville NC , outside Camp Lejeune. The dojo's student body was made up of Marines serving in the Corps at Lejeune.
It was from this dojo that Master McGrath, then a Lieutenant in the USMC, began his career as a fighter and teacher. When Sensei Nagle left for civilian life in 1959, Ed McGrath succeeded him as chief instructor, at the New Bridge Street dojo and with the Marines at Lejeune.
He taught many well-known competitors and champions, such as Malachi Lee, Bob Baker, Nick Adler, Richie Bell, Mel Sutphin, Dennis Bottle, and Joe Burgess. Later, in his dojos in Long Island, his new fighters were taught in the same manner as Mr. McGrath learned, with full contact and no holds barred and responded with equal success. Fighters such as Barry Steinberg, John Pinghero, Frank Klos, Frank Black, and Dan Vena, who also became excellent Sensei's in their own right and are now turning out champions of their own.
During the sixties and
seventies, Ed McGrath became the symbol of Hai Karate After Shave
Lotion and appeared nationwide for Leeming Paquin, the manufacturer,
also appearing as it's rep with his hands on the bottle and flying
side kick on the gift box. It is probably the only income Ed made
from karate. At that same time he also became known as "The Voice of
Karate" in the karate publications of the time.
Mr. McGrath is most proud of two things in his karate life; the fact that his students won many championships in tournaments and that he beat them upon their return to the dojo and most truly, the fact that he remained with Sensei Nagle for 42 years, as a student and his friend, receiving all of his rank from the Grand Master and received 10th Dan and the mantle of Grand Master from his Sensei, just prior to Master Nagle's death.
Ed is still teaching and working out with his Dans in their dojos, helping the next generations of competitors to find themselves. Along with his wife of over 43 years, he is also enjoying his 12 grandchildren.