http://judoforum.com/index.php?/topic/54143-the-passing-of-wally-jay/ Just found this out on fma talk and confirmed it with the link posted. Hats off and glasses up for a pioneer in the american martial arts community.. Never trained with him,just had the chance to read a lot of his stuff..
I attended a seminar with him around 1980 and found him to be a friendly, entertaining and informative instructor. All the old guard seem to be slowly leaving this place. Professor Jay R.I.P. powchoy
He was one of the truly great pioneers of the martial arts in America. And more than that, he was a very special human being and a great teacher with a lot of love of his art and those who practiced it.
Wiki caught up. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wally_Jay Hey, I can say this; I hope I can reach 93!!!!!
years ago I trained with his son a few times but very unfortunatly never trained under Wally. I understand a great guy, unassuming,talented and no ego.I understand he was on the mat until the last. A very positive role model and excellent example to us all. Who he rubbed off on both physicaily and by example will always cherish those golden moments.
In the early eighties Prof. Jay came to our dojo several times. On a few occasions I had the unique opportunity to be Uki. I have experienced his "Dance of pain" that he so nonchalantly used to demonstrate. I never forgot those lessons. I have used his techniques of finger manipulation many times in real situations and have never forgotten his "small circle lessons" . I still apply that theory to things like a throw.. If I'm being thrown, I grab on and create a smaller circle.. works every time. I remember him being an extremly friendly and down to earth man... always willing to chat about ideas and always willing to experiment. I have told my students about him many times and teach the theory of small circle to this day. I am not a jujitsu practioner but the theory still holds. Small circle applys to all styles, you just have to think about it. I really consider him a major influence in my martial arts, though I did not practice with him extensively and only trained with him less than 20 times... his ideas influenced me greatly. Kampai sir... RIP. Mike O'Leary