General Choi Hong Hi
Founder of Taekwon-Do
November 1918 - June 2002

It is truly a sad day in the Taekwon-Do community. Yesterday, June 15th, 2002 General Choi Hong Hi, the founder of Taekwon-Do, passed away. We have lost a great leader, a great man and a great teacher. We feel honoured to have had the experience to learn from General Choi at many of his International Instructors Seminars - something no one will ever again be able to experience. You never really realize what you have to appreciate while it is around, until it is gone.

Not so long ago we lost another great Taekwon-Do Master and a devoted student of General Choi - Master Andre Blake. He was also our Master. Now they are re-united, teacher and student, once again. We hope they are at peace together and watching over us and guiding us still. It is through their teachings and philosophy, that Taekwon-Do will live on forever in the hearts, minds, bodies and souls of honourable men and women who continue to pursue the lifelong journey that is Taekwon-Do.

We will continue to see that these teachings and ideals do not go with him but that they continue to live on through us and the memory of General Choi.

Our sincere condolences go out to the Choi family.
We, and millions of others he has touched the lives of, will miss him greatly.

Sincerely yours,

Terry and Kari Wisniewski
Tien Lung Taekwon-Do

Marc and Lisa Gaudet
Tien Lung Taekwon-Do NS

... and All of the members of the Tien Lung Family

Master J. André Blake
8th Degree Black Belt
February 1944 - May 2001

On Wednesday, May 2, 2001, sadly, Master J. André Blake passed away. A wake was held in Montreal on Sunday, May 6 and a funeral service was held Monday, May 7. It was very well attended by many ITF practitioners from across Canada. His closest student, Mr. Alaine DuMaine, read a poem during the funeral and there was not a dry eye in the place. Even though it was in French, and may not have been understood by all, the heart felt sadness and emotions made the message clear to everyone.

During the reception, an award for the ITF Outstanding Instructor was presented by Master Choi Jung Hwa, the Secretary-General of the ITF, to Master Blake's daughter, Caroline. The CTFI President, Mr. Clint Norman, also gave a small speech.

Master Blake... he was indeed a great man. He was my instructor and my teacher, not just in Taekwon-Do, but in life as well. I knew him since 1996. During the time I spent with him and all the time I grew to know him, he was always a very kind and generous individual.

He was like a father to me in Taekwon-Do. I will miss him very much. His memory and legacy will continue to live on through his students. We will all miss him. Hopefully he is in a better place, watching over and guiding us still.

Words cannot possibly thank you for everything you have done for me sir. I can only try to live and teach as you would have wanted in the best way I know how. Hopefully one day I can make you proud. My deepest gratitude goes out to you.

Respectfully Yours in Taekwon-Do,

Marc Gaudet, 3rd Dan
Eternal Student of Master J. André Blake

Master Blake was the former President of the C.T.F.I. (the official I.T.F.
governing body of Canada - Canadian Taekwon-Do Federation International) among some of his titles he held throughout his life. He was born in Montreal, Quebec. He had a school at a local fitness center called Le Centre De Immaculee Conception. He trained thousands of students over the years and trained himself in the Martial Arts for over 30 years. Aside from his impressive 8th Degree Black Belt in ITF Taekwon-Do, he also had black belts in other martial arts as well, such as Judo, Ju-Jitsu, Karate and Kempo. He was a former military police officer and he regularly instructed the Montreal Police in various areas of defensive tactics and baton usage.

Master Blake also travelled around the world as one General Choi's personal body guards for many years and studied extensively with the founding father of Taekwon-Do.

Mr. Gaudet was tested for his 1st degree black belt by Master Blake, which was the first time the two had ever met. Mr. Gaudet has been a student of Master Blake ever since that time, back in 1996. Mr. Gaudet is very proud to be a student of one of the great masters of ITF Taekwon-Do of our time. Even though Master Blake is no longer on this earth, his spirit and legacy remain.

The C.T.F.I. also sent out a biography of Master André Blake. Click on the links
to view the English Version or French Version. The I.T.F. made a tribute to Master Blake and can be viewed by clicking here.

Left to right: Master Blake, General Choi Hong Hi, Mr. Gaudet (Photo taken May 1997, Ottawa, Canada)

Left to right: Mr. Gaudet, Master Blake, Alaine DuMaine November 2000, Montreal, Quebec at Le Centre de Immaculee Conception.

Master Blake watching Mr. DuMaine at the Instructor's Seminar in New Brunswick, Oct. 1999.

Master Blake receiving a gift from the MacLean's in New Brunswick at the Instructor's seminar during the banquet. Oct. 1999.

Master Blake giving all of the Instructor participants a small tatse of his knowledge and wisdom. Oct. 1999, New Brunswick.

Gen. Choi teaches and speaks to participants and Master Blake during seminar in New Brunswick, Oct. 1999.

Always teaching, Master Blake watches a seminar participant during Instructor's seminar, Oct. 1999, New Brunswick.

Master Blake (left) and Mr. Gaudet (right) after Mr. Gaudet was tested for 3rd Dan, Oct. 1999.

Master Blake escorting Genral Choi Instructor's Seminar, Gagetown, New Brunswick, Oct 1999.

Master Blake plays a game with children during kids seminar in Happy Valley - Goose Bay, Labrador. Winter 1998.

Master Blake graces us with photos for the happy group of children who had the opportunity to train with such a great Master. Winter 1998, Labrador.

Master Blake playfully gives the children one of his classic "looks" as he jokes with them during the seminar in Labrador, winter 1998.

My Teacher, Master J. Andre Blake, 8th dan. We will miss him. A typical image of a great man, sitting and talking with the children. No student was too young or too old for Master Blake. Labrador, Winter 1998.

Labrador, Winter 1998. Master Blake, Mr. Gaudet, Mrs. Gaudet. "This was all of our first times ever in a Helicopter. It was one of those rare occassions where Master Blake seemed without all of the politics weighing heavily on his mind. It was a truly great moment and one I will always remember and cherish." - Marc Gaudet