from West Milford Karate School West Milford Alan Mendillo has one philosophy for his karate students: karate is like an insurance policy. If you are in an accident, pull it out. Don’t bully anybody, but it’s there in case you need it. Wise words from a very wise and respected man. Mendillo is the owner and head instructor of the West Milford Karate School. This week, he marked the 40th anniversary of his school in the Belcher Run Shopping Center in West Milford. It was Dec. 1, 1970 when Mendillo opened the school with a partner. He had been studying Karate for three years and got his black belt just six months after opening his school. He and his wife, Angel, had moved to Wayne in 1958 and were raising six children. Mendillo was working as a printer but took a second job as a cab driver and later a food delivery guy in not such a great area of Paterson. After a fellow delivery guy was mugged, Mendillo realized he should learn self defense. “I had some close calls but I never had to use it,” said Mendillo, who is now 80 years old. Mendillo wanted to share his love of karate so he came to West Milford to open his school. He took over the entire business after one year with his partner. “It was virgin territory back then,” said Mendillo about why he opened in West Milford instead of closer to his home in Wayne. His first student on that first day was Arthur Storbeck. Storbeck went on to become a second degree black belt and, Mendillo said, a wonderful student. “When his father passed away, Storbeck put his brown belt in with him,” said Mendillo, who was moved by the gesture. His own family has also learned from him. One of his three sons is a fourth degree black belt, another is a green belt, and his 17-year-old grandson, Jesse, just became a black belt. His 11-year-old grandson is a green belt as well. Mendillo tells the story of a five-year-old who used his karate instruction to possibly save his life. “We teach the children to roll over their shoulder to the opposite hip,” said Mendillo. One of his young students was coming out of his driveway on his bike and was hit by a car, says Mendillo. He rolled over the hood onto his feet but the bike was mangled. “He’s now 24 years old and his father still thanks me,” said Mendillo. “He became a black belt.” In 1970, Mendillo said there were mostly adults interested in Karate. Ten years ago, that changed. He now has more kids as students, although he also teaches entire families. On Jan. 11, 2011, Mendillo is starting a six-week women’s self defense course on Tuesdays. “So many parents have told me they want to learn self-defense, especially women,” he said. Looking back, Mendillo said he is proud of the good citizens he has helped. “My thing is to turn out good citizens,” said Mendillo. “I don’t emphasize fighting ever. I teach them to block and strike, never to strike first. And if they have to strike, try to strike not in a vulnerable area, like the face.” Mendillo also gives back to the greater community. His yearly kick-a-thon raises thousands of dollars for St. Jude Research Hospital. Mendillo and his wife, Angel, are coming up on their 60th wedding anniversary next year, another milestone. When asked if he ever taught karate to Angel, Mendillo said it was never necessary. “She always said she doesn’t need to train. She has a black belt next to her all the time,” said Mendillo.