Obituarty

 

Nick Carrado, Jr., 77, of Matthews, N.C. and formerly of Rome, passed away Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at Presbyterian Hospital, Matthews, N.C. He was born in Rome, N.Y. on November 17, 1930, son of the late Nick Sr. and Irma (Panara) Carrado. Mr. Carrado served with the U.S. Marine Corps where he was a Close Combat Instructor. He graduated from Chavez College of Magic in Hollywood,CA. He was the founder of the "Karrado" system of Self Defense. On June 8, 1973, he married his beloved wife, Nancy Kratzenberg in Oakwood Heights Community Church, Staten Island, N.Y. He will be dearly missed by all.

This page is dedicated to the memory of Nick Carrado Jr. An innovator in Modern Self Defense.In 1951, long before Bruce Lee developed his concept of Jeet Kune Do (JKD) and the onslaught of MMA, this former U.S. Marine Hand-to-Hand Close Combat Instructor founded his own style (Karrado - "The Empty Way" - meaning no set style) on the Streets of New York City. Shortly thereafter he opened the Carrado School of Self Defense. It wasn't long before he was training police officers from all around the New York city area. His teaching skills and abilities are legendary amongst "old time" NYPD Detectives.

Stories about Nick are endless. His treks to the city's taverns searching out the toughest brawlers and challenging them to a friendly confrontation are famous. After Nick cleaned house, it was back inside for a soda and an in-depth discussion of street brawling (what works and what doesn't work) with his (defeated) "new friend". Nick used his experience from these bouts to create a system of the simplest, most devastating self defense techniques around: Karrado. His can't see, can't breathe, can't hurt you and "Forget the cowboy stuff" mentality still holds true.

Nick was turned down when he responded to a claim put out by a Brazilian gentleman in the mid 1950's. The Brazilian said that his system was unbeatable. To which Nick responded, "Name any alley in New York City". Nick was turned down because he was not a "celebrity" (Boxer, Wrestler, Martial Artist).

Nick's school continues on in Karrado Ryu Ju Jitsu.