Gerard and his family  were very close and enjoyed many activities together including racing their sloop, "The Valkyrie" at the St. Croix Yacht Club Races and flying radio controlled planes in competition.  Gerard and Judy's children both live on St. Croix; Michel (Mike) and Annette have both  married and provided them with grandchildren.  Mike and his wife Renee have a son, Ashton, and a daughter Ava Marie. Annette and her husband Tom Williamson are raising their son, Jean Ricardo Belardo, on St. Croix. They stay in touch with Gerard's older daughter Martine who still lives in France with her husband Alex.  They have three children; Mathias, Delphine, Maxime.  One of whom has provided Gerard and Judith with a great-grandson, Mehdi.  

In 2001 Gerard was inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame with a Gold Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2002 he was invited back to be honored with a rank of 10th Degree and a title of  Soke-Dai in Kawaishi Ju-Jitsu.   He was also installed as official World Head of System for Kawaishi Ju-Jitsu and Patalidis-Kawaishi Self-Defense by The World Martial Arts Hall Of Fame Sokeship Council.

On August 5, 2006 Sensei Patalidis passed away.  He was 77years old and had already survived two heart attacks.  Gerard was buried at sea on August 14th, 2006.  At the moment that the colorful bag containing his body was to be released into the Caribbean Sea, a pod of Dolphins surrounded the boat and seemed to be there to escort Gerard on his way.  Everyone on the boat loved this special send-off for Sensei.  Gerard was truly a Renaissance man.  He was gifted with the talent, hands, and spirit of an artist; the dedication and perception of a great teacher; and the heart of a loving parent.  All of his friends, children, grandchildren, and students felt his compassionate yet totally honest guidance to be key to their development and growth. 

He is sorely missed by all of his students, family, and friends.  

Gerard was,  at the time of his death, the last surviving student of Soke-Dai Kawaishi, himself. 

Click on this Picture of Gerard and Judy at The World Martial Arts Hall Of Fame in 2001 to hear the Musical tribute to Gerard- "Theme For The Frenchman" : Greg Richter - Piano / Composer; Jill Atherton - Clarinet (08-11-06)

Gerard and Judith traveled to France in the Fall of 2005 and visited Gerard's daughter, Martine, as well as touring all of his old favorite landmarks. It was an eventful, satisfying, and fun trip, by all accounts, and fitting as the final adventure in the annals of his truly inspiring life.

Click on the photo above to see Soke-Dai Patalidis demonstrate a wristlock take down with his student, Dr. Sheldon Prudoff.  

Dr. Prudoff was one of the finest students extant, in both Bulldog JKD and Kawaishi/Patalidis Ju-Jit-Su. He was lost at sea when a small plane he was riding in went down in 2004.  He was a powerful opponent and a dynamic, warm, and  clever human being. We all miss him, greatly. 

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Gerard & Sheldon with Knife Attack Response: "Return to Sender"  GPrtrn2sndr.rm 

Gerard and JKD/Ju-Jit-Su Instructor, Tom Baldauf, Demonstrate 

"Kawaishi Seo-Nage" 

(The Camera Date is exactly one Year Slow)

[All Videos on this page have been slowed to half speed so that the techniques can be appreciated. Otherwise, the "Real Video" tends to show only the first and last frame.]

-Some more videos-

 Kawashi Seo-Nage 1.rm     Wrist-throw-vs-Knife

GP-vs-GR Armbar   Wristlock Counter- Move

 Gerard Explains Joint-Lock Problems  

Choke>Armbar  Choke>Head Butt  sacrifice 1.mpg

Gerard & Sheldon Slow Knife Takedown and Disarm Demo

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Gerard was a meticulous artist and craftsman who enjoyed making detailed , functioning models, such as radio-controlled planes and  boats with his son Mike and his grandson, Jean.