Tribute to the Great Master Dionne

It was with extreme sadness that I announced that Master Jacques Dionne “Tadanobu Matsumoto Dionne” - 58 - of Ottawa was suddenly taken from us on Thursday, January 8, 2004. Jacques was my best friend, my mentor, my confidant, my voice of reason, the man who kept my head straight. He was the Grandmaster of Kyushu-Ryu Ju-Jitsu and held a seventh degree black belt in this combat form. He started his love of the martial arts at age five and was handed the system in 1975 upon the death of his instructor the late Tadanori Matsumoto. Master Dionne taught throughout North America but dearly loved to come to Nova Scotia to share his knowledge openly with other martial artists and devoted much energy toward the Kyushu-Ryu Ju-Jitsu club in Dartmouth, kicking my butt at every opportunity.

Jacques was the creator of Rape Self Awareness Defence (RSAD), a self defence system for women, The Tactical Academy of Controlling Techniques, a court defensible self defence system for law enforcement and lectured and taught frequently on martial arts topics, combat and history.

He will be deeply missed by wife Brenda, his two children Todd and Robyn, the entire Kyushu-Ryu family and the martial arts community at large.

Checkout some movies of Master Dionne

Eulogy by Master Frank Zinck

I was blessed to be able to give tribute to my friend by writing and giving his eulogy.

The following is a small excerpt of the last paragraph of my eulogy.

"My friend, I will miss our daily emails and discussions on the path of Kyushu Ryu and the martial arts as a whole. You were larger than life itself and more than a father to me. On the pond of life there are those who leave ripples around the edges, you however, stirred the pond touching and changing the lives of people in a positive manner, many of whom you have never even met. If "The true essence of a man is not what he has, but what he does" then you are the largest, and wealthiest man I know. Thank you for your support and friendship over the years, I will always honour you and never forget you.

Frank Zinck