The daughter of a beloved martial
arts teacher, who was killed while working security at a Bridgeport business
over the weekend, has closed down his Tae Kwan Do school.
Candles, balloons and flowers sit
outside of the Chen Huu Academy in Stratford
in remembrance of Joselito Calderon - master instructor and owner of the
school.
Cynthia Calderon tells News 12 that
Chen Huu Academy in Stratford was more than just a martial arts studio, it was
a community center and sanctuary for many people.
"Papi was a father to others,
like he took people under his wing and mentored them and cared for them. I
didn't know that. Now that he passed, I get to hear all the stories, and it
hurts it even more," Cynthia Calderon says.
Following his death, she's learned
just how much he impacted young people in the Bridgeport area over the past two
decades. She tells News 12 he got a lot of kids off the streets and allowed
those short on money to come for free.
"He taught them to respect their parents. He taught them no fighting in
the street. He taught them to be kind with each other. He taught them
love," Cynthia Calderon says.
Joselito Calderon
was shot to death while working security at Copa Restaurant in Bridgeport over
the weekend. Police have released few details except to say he was an innocent victim along with another person who was also shot but is recovering.
Cynthia Calderon
says knowing her father, he was trying to protect someone.
"For me to
get a call at like three in the morning telling me
he's no longer here," she says. "Like my world has stopped."
She's now asking
anyone with information on the killer to go to police.
"Help us,
pray for us because this is the worst pain I have ever felt in my entire
life," Cynthia Calderon says.
She says she plans to give each of
her father's students a picture of him and a white rose in hopes they'll
continue to remember his message and his spirit rather than remember the way he
died.
"I
feel like he was an angel here on earth and God has called him back home," Cynthia Calderon says.
Joselito Calderon
was born in Ecuador and started his first martial arts school there at the age
of 16.
He also served in
Ecuador's military and as a bodyguard for the president there before coming to
Bridgeport more than 20 years ago.
The wake for Joselito Calderon is
being held Sunday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Pistey Funeral Home in Stratford.