Rank: 3rd Dan
School: Bayonne AOKA Inc
Born in 1958 and raised inBayonne, Dr. John Franconeri began as an Isshinryu Karate student at age 12 in Don Nagle'sMercer Streetdojo in 1970. He trained there under Sensei George Strydio (presently a 6th Dan), who was under Sensei Bob Mansfield (8th Dan). The son of Emilia and the late Dominick Franconeri, John learned the value of a hard work ethic as displayed by his mother (a Western Electric factory worker) when John's father died at an early age when John was only 5 years old. John's mother worked full time to solely support both John and his sister, Tina. She put John through a private catholic high school, college and finally, dental school. In 1972, John enteredMaristHigh Schooland excelled both scholastically and athletically. He played varsity football for 4 years, being a starting defensive back and offensive receiver in his sophomore, junior and senior seasons, where he received All County Honors. Also during his high school years, he found his charm, Maura Brennan, who he would later marry. In 1976, John graduated Marist H.S. as the salutatorian (ranked 2nd academically in his graduating class) and received the student athlete award. Later that year, John entered college atRutgersUniversityand then transferred to St. Peter's College, where he played varsity football. John graduated magna cum laude from St. Peter's College in 1980 receiving the Wall Street Journal student achievement award. Attaining very high grades in St. Peter's and doing extremely well in his dental school aptitude test, John entered Fairleigh Dickinson University School of Dentistry in 1980. In 1983, during his junior year, he married his high school sweetheart, Maura. Upon his graduation from dental school in 1984 and passing his dental boards, John received his license to practice dentistry. During his tenure atFDUDentalSchool, John received numerous awards and honors, such as the restorative (cosmetic operative) dentistry award and teaching fellowships, both in restorative and prosthodontics (crowns, bridges and dentures). He was also one of a select few inducted to the prestigious OKU Dental Honor Society. The OKU accepts no more than 10% of the graduating class who rank at the top of their class academically, clinically and professionally. In 1984, John entered private practice and also accepted an appointment to be a part time clinical instructor atFDUDentalSchoolin the prosthodontic department. He is a member of theADA(American Dental Assoc.), NJDA and HCDS (Hudson County Dental Society) since 1984. John was elected and served as secretary, treasurer and vice president of the HCDS. After 10 years of marriage, John and Maura had their first child, Brian, in 1993 and their second child, Emma, in 1996. In 1998, John's son, Brian, started karate, and after a long absence, John also returned to his karate training at Don Nagle's AOKA in Bayonne under head Sensei Ralph Passero (9th Dan). During his black belt test, not only did John receive his black belt, but a broken nose to go along with it. When Grand Master Ed McGrath (10th Dan) and Ralph Passero, presented John his black belt, Grand Master Ed McGrath told John not to feel alone because he, too, had broken his nose when he tested for his black belt. Over the past years, John has competed and won various tournaments, both in Kumite (fighting) and Kata (form). John attributes his accomplishments in attaining his black belt and his success in tournament competition to his two main senseis and friends, namely Mark Wzorek (8th Dan) and Joe Mazza (8th Dan), who gave their individual attention and time to train John. In 2003, at the Action Martial Arts Hall of Fame banquet at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino inAtlantic City, John was inducted in the category of Excellence in Teaching the Martial Arts Spirit Award. Knowing the important lifetime values the children learn as karate students, John still teaches the children's class at Don Nagle's AOKA inBayonne,NJand is proud to have his 8-year old daughter, Emma, as one of his students there. John still trains with three of his friends and sensies, Tom Ballweg, Frank Casavecchia and Meade Rubenstein. John currently owns and operates a private dental office inBayonne,NJ. His wife, Maura, is an elementary school teacher inBayonne. Both their children attend Bayonne public schools. In closing, John credits all his successes and happiness in life to the women who supported him throughout all his endeavors, namely his mother, Emilia, and the love of his life, his wife, Maura.