By Janice Sina
(May 18, 2025) — Ed Ricciuti has worn many hats in his 87 years. Born and raised in tough city neighborhoods, he learned fast the art of self-defense and situational awareness, and was, at the age of 18, named the best boxer at the University of Notre Dame. He became a journalist and author, specializing in science, nature, conservation and law enforcement. His assignments took him to far-flung places, including the former Yugoslavia, African and Asian countries and the high Andes. He’s also written books for adults and children.
But the thing that brings a twinkle to his eye and makes him sit up tall is talking about working with his students at Green Hill Martial Arts studio. Formerly on Green Hill Road as Green Hill Combat Hapkido, a commercial school, Ed and three other students bought the school and changed it to a non-profit. It now operates at 273 Route 81, the former town hall and grange, which is now owned by the Killingworth Congregational Church.
I met him recently to talk about the studio, its history, and the programs offered to students ages four to adult. Stepping out of my shoes in the foyer and neatly lining them up with the others on the rack, I followed Ed barefoot into the clean and spacious main room. The walls were hung with a banner of the Bunjitsu Code and other positive motivational quotes, framed newspaper articles from Ed’s youth and his earlier days of teaching, and photos of esteemed teachers he has known and studied under. Most of the floor space is covered with a thick blue mat. It is bright and airy with a strong sense of respect about it. I don’t step on the mat. This is where the action unfolds.
Students begin to filter in ten minutes before class accompanied by their parents, since these are Hornets, the four- and five-year-olds. The parents sit in folding chairs in the back to watch. One young girl, Sophia, a Hornet graduate, is invited by Ed to help teach the class and she eagerly accepts. Ed uses the regular belt system of colors, but he doesn’t emphasize the belt as an accomplishment as much as the privilege that comes with it, and the fact that it’s a good marker of progress for the parents.
“I’m pretty sure that in days [long] past, you got your black belt when your white belt got dirty,” he says, adding “Kids are terrific teachers.” The Hornet grad does not disappoint. Barely taller than her students, she puts them through warmups of fifty jumping jacks, ten pushups, and other calisthenics while Ed looks on. Then they all practice the martial arts moves together, rotating through partners, working hard, and having fun. It’s obvious this keeps Ed young and energized.
Sophia will participate in her own youth class after this one. Youth classes for six- to twelve-year-olds, and adult classes are offered throughout the week. The styles of martial arts predominantly taught at Green Hill are Combat Hapkido, which is purely self-defense, and Jeet Kune Do, translated as the Way of the Intercepting Fist, developed by Bruce Lee. Ed also studies Kung Fu and Tai Chi and brings the fundamentals of these disciplines into his classes. Saturday classes teach techniques from other martial arts, especially traditional jujitsu and Kung Fu. He also offers a course for pre-college and college-age women on self-defense.
Without even stepping on the mat, I learned that if you’re ever grabbed by someone, don’t scream. “Yell ‘Fire!’” Ed says, “Little things like this stick with kids and go a long way.” He tells a story about his own daughter who was cornered by three young men in a subway station. Undaunted, she put her back up against the wall, showed no fear, and used her knowledge of self-defense to send them running. It’s a comprehensive list of classes with a knowledgeable though small volunteer staff. Their website (https://greenhillmartialarts.org/) lists class schedules, gives teacher profiles, and information about the disciplines taught.
Combat Hapkido is designed for people of all physiques and ages and learning abilities. “Self-defense gives you confidence out in the world,” Ed says. He integrates such things as how to recognize potentially dangerous encounters, situational awareness, and how to de-escalate confrontations. He is always kind and respectful to his students.
Ed and his co-founder John Himmelman have been at this location for fourteen years. John also writes on nature and is the author and illustrator of acclaimed children’s books. The Bunjitsu Code hanging on the wall is his creation from his book, Bunjitsu Bunnies. Students travel from as far as Lyme, Guilford and Madison to attend classes here. Unfortunately, like many places, the studio shut down during Covid and it’s been slow to come back. “The economy is a factor too,” he says.
There is a fundraiser scheduled for June 12, 2025 at the Shipwreck Tavern in Killingworth; look on the Tavern’s Facebook page for details soon. Or check Ed Ricciuti’s website at www.edwardricciuti.com. With summer coming and academic pressure off most kids and young adults, this might be a good time to see what this time-honored, respected discipline is all about.
Photos by Janice Sina
