Today marks the funeral of martial arts pioneer, Ridgely Abele.

Last week the martial arts world lost a true pioneer in our sport. Hanshi Ridgely Abele battled cancer and at the age of 59 passed away. This was a man who experienced all aspects of martial arts: training, competing, teaching, authoring, but most of all leading. He began his career under Hanshi John Pachivas and become a chief instructor of Shuri-ryu Karate-Do worldwide. His accolades are many and he will be missed by thousands.

KICKgen extends our thoughts and sympathy for the family, friends and students of Ridgely Abele.

To read more about the life of Ridgely...

Ridgely Abele is survived by his wife of 18 years, Sally, his daughter and son, Sasha Katz and Jordan Abele; sister, Jan Konesey and brothers, Lawrence, Paul and Edward Abele and two grandchildren, Quinn and Leila.

Funeral services were held at the Church of the Harvest, 4865 Sunset Blvd., Lexington, SC 29072 on Friday, December 18 at 2 p.m.

Memorials may be made to Ridgely’s favorite charity, The Women’s Shelter, 3425 N. Main St., Columbia, SC 29203, www.womenshelter.org.

To sign the online guest book and show your respects to Ridgely and his family:
http://www.thompsonsfuneral.com/FuneralHome/Default.asp