With 9 siblings there is no shortage of stories to tell about my family. They all have their own unique abilites and talents. This story is about my brother, Jim. He was the oldest of us 10 children me being second oldest. So, I always looked up to him. Today I look up to the rest as much.

Jim lost his right eye at 3 years old to childhood Glaucoma, a rare diesease to be sure. He nearly lost both eyes. From the moment this happened he never was encumbered by this disability. In fact, just the oppostie. I could go on and on about the amazing things he has accomplished with only one eye, most notably in the world of sports where 3-D sight is critical.

Today I received a lin to a newspaper article published about 65 year-old Jim and I was so taken I felt moved to write about it here. The article below was written by John Shannahan for the Holliston Reporter. Enjoy this snippet of pride.

---He’s the Singing Sensei, the Swinging Samurai, the tri-talented Tossing Tensui.

Cormier recently celebrated his 25^th year in business, a fact he finds hard to believe.  “I was given permission by my sensei, Master Larry Garron, to open my own school in 1987,” he says. “I ran the school in the afternoons and evenings, while working full time at my daytime profession in the marketing and public relations field.  Fifteen years ago I decided to make teaching a full time profession and leased my space, which is presently undergoing a major renovation and beautification.

“My wife Claire and I just repainted and redecorated our waiting room,” says Cormier, indicating his wife’s ideas will make his dojo a more family friendly place. “My landlord’s plans for the exterior of the building will present a very appealing look for our school,” adds Cormier, who does not foresee any obstacles for the school during this construction period.

The Academy offers adult and kid programs in karate, jujitsu, and judo as well as a yoga program (run for 13 years by the ever-effervescent Nancy Galiardi) for adults.

“I see nothing but good things for the future of my dojo,” says Cormier. “I have no plans to retire, if ever. I love this way of life and what it means to me and those who are a part of my dojo family. We change lives of the young and not so young in positive ways every day.  It doesn’t get much better than that.”

Cormier, who has been awarded high level black belts in a number of disciplines, was inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2000. He is also a former professional musician, who stills picks up the guitar and entertains large audiences, as he did this summer in Denver where he travelled as a star member of the Mudville Base Ball Club.

Well rounded? Yes, indeed.