Almanzo "LaoMa" Lamoureux

May 18, 1941 - September 22, 2020

Almanzo “LaoMa” Lamoureux of 70 Hearne Rd, Pittsboro NC, was born in Keene New Hampshire. He died peacefully at home in his sleep shortly before midnight September 21st. Although he was awaiting heart surgery we all somehow expected him to last forever. We will hold him in our hearts for as long as they beat.

He was a man of great personal charm and style. A flamboyant original with an endless supply of stories about his years in China, the Marine Corps, Taijiquan, and the general absurdities of the human condition. He was also a kind and generous man, a passionate teacher, and a creative soul.

He was preceded in death by his father, Raymond Almanzo Lamoureux and mother, Mary Ann (Jasienowski) Lamoureux. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Selden Durgom Lamoureux, his darlin’ daughter Lakeysha Green and his son-in-law Morreo Green, three grandchildren, Corey (wife, Kathy), Stephany, and Morreo Jr. “Snook”, three great grandchildren, a great-great granddaughter, a large number of cherished cousins, and his Taiji partner and dear friend Violet Anderson. He also leaves behind a large Taijiquan community and an even larger community of friends collected over the years.

“LaoMa” taught Chinese martial arts and Chinese calligraphy for nearly 50 years. He studied in Wuhan China from 1985 to 1988 with Ding Hong Kuai whose influence permeated his teaching. A master of Taijiquan, he never stopped learning, and although he could be an exacting taskmaster, he lived and loved and shared his art unselfishly until he died.

He graduated from Keene High School in New Hampshire and received a BS in Psychology and an MA in Asian Studies from Old Dominion University.

Details for a memorial service to be held later next year will be available at BlackBambooPavilion.com. In the meantime, please light a stick of incense, raise a glass, and send out a prayer for this remarkable man.

Farewell my older brother, warrior and a legend. I will see you on the other side.

One only gets so many big brothers in life. I was very fortunate to have Almanzo LaoMa Lamoureux as my dear friend and brother. We met in 1969. We both lived an area of Norfolk called Ghent, while we attended ODU. The majority of college kids in those days, that lived in Ghent, were hippies, freaks or heads. Manzo was neither, he was an ex marine attending the university on the GI bill. Why we became fast friends, I really can't remember. But we always stayed in touch no matter where our individual paths took us. His to Taijiquan and Chinese culture, mine psychology and conscious studies. Throughout the 52 years we stayed in touch and visited as often as time permitted. We had some hilarious adventures and good times always. I can flatly say that Manzo was one of the holiest, handsomest, healthiest, horniest, humorous, and most honorable man I have met in my life. May his memories, and all the love he spread by bringing knowledge, comfort and peace to those who loved him live on. ️

-Tommy Thompson

“Time flies like an arrow…”

“Time flies like an arrow…” And so the tale of your days, measured in blackening banana peels draped on tree limbs on your walks by the river, has come to an end. My elder brother, Lao Ma Shige! 1941-2020…free now to return there, Mongo by your side.

Or perhaps your heart will lead you back to a “city of lingering splendour”—to Snake Hill, the red pavilion, diminutive grandfather Ding and deaf mute Master Zhang who have, undoubtedly, been waiting for you. For solace, brother-from-another-mother, I turn to one of your many gifts, the book named above, and find in a chapter titled Darkness:

“When I had spent a long while sitting alone in the topmost pavilion, I heard soft footsteps and the swish of a robe coming from behind me. Turning to glance at my chance companion, I found myself face to face with a friend from long ago, a laughing Daoist! I am sure my expression registered intense delight…the Peach Garden Hermit looked decorous as a Confucian scholar—the well-remembered cascades of boisterous laughter faintly echoed by the mocking, good-humored expression in his eyes.

‘Ha ha! Such a rude fellow I was! Have you forgiven me for making a demon out of you?’

‘Forgiven you? I loved your frankness and the way you trampled conventions. It was like a breath of air from the Realm of Immortals.’

‘Truly so? An affinity from former lives made us feel familiar from the first. There! That was a beautifully conventional sentence. I’m learning you see.’

‘Why should you learn such things? No one expects convention from an Immortal! Your mission is to shock some understanding into us, isn’t it?’”

Holy Tofu!

Truly ours was “an affinity from former lives.” You grew up in the New Hampshire town where my great-grandparents Simon and Margaret raised two sons… and though we “crossed swords for awhile,” to quote Mǎ Shīmǔ (馬师母), we always returned to brotherhood.

So many gifts: you taught me the importance of connecting to Chinese culture through the written language, giving me Keelan and Weiger and an interest in the etymology of traditional characters, connected us to Deer Mountain and Master Gao, Steve Rhodes and “A Taste of China,” and introduced the sash system and wude into Magic Tortoise; I introduced you to my primary teacher, Master Jou, shared my insights into the fundamentals of the foot-knee-hip relationship and knee safety, gave you a temporary home and a rather more permanent truck after your sojourn in China, started you on tournament judging, and helped you establish your teaching in NC. And…40 years.

In 2014 you shared the gift of your signature Guǎi Gùn 拐棍 form, and now I carry a cane, as you did, in your honor. The Yì Jīng 易經 named our first collaboration in 1984 “Magic Tortoise,” and within that shell you journeyed with us after your return from China for 29 years till the birth of your own Black Bamboo Pavilion Taijiquan School in 2016. And here at the end we came together sharing target practice with airgun pistols and comparing the virtues of various kinds of popcorn kernels.

No one who visited you could have come away without marveling at the vast collection, so carefully arranged, of symbolic gee gaws, trinkets, souvenirs, and object d’art. These aggregations of significance were incontrovertible evidence of the storied life of the master raconteur who created them: outside—carefully placed ornaments and effigies, bricolages of found items…balls and bottles, stones and metal hardware, lost caps, shoes; inside—shrines in every corner, on every surface, every wall…a bewildering array of hats, sticks, photos, name tags, coins and canes, swords and knives, bells and bagua, gongs and gargoyles, certificates, people, places.

Only now have I come to appreciate their order and meaning, though the key was in plain sight on my bookshelf: Jonathan Spence’s The Memory Palace of Matteo Ricci (a Jesuit who lived in China from 1583 to 1610 and impressed a generation of Chinese scholars with his incredible ability to memorize information by arranging it in buildings constructed in his mind)—a gift from you. You made, push-pinned in physical space, a “memory palace,” holding in reverence reminders of friends near and far, events, experiences treasured: the tale of your days, the lives and hearts you touched, who touched you. Even the detritus of found things lovingly curated by your hands and imbued with wordless consequence. You sought, I think, with an order invisible to others, to make a net of connection among small things to trap the larger meanings. So also with your art: to focus on details, on fundamentals, to have a chance of grasping the larger picture.

“Time flies like an arrow”...and fruit? “Fruit flies like a banana.”
In parting, once more from Blofeld:
“…This silence in our hearts—
What need for speech?
Twin hearts now merged in one.
Though petals fall to earth
For us the joy remains
Unchanging and unchanged,
I charge you to recall
For ever and for ever
This loveliest of days
Too precious to forget.”

Gentle reader, see also LaoMa’s blog
http://www.blackbamboopavilion.com/laomas-blog

-Jay Dunbar

I once asked Lao Ma what he wanted his students to get from the study of taijiquan. He told me, "Whatever they come into it looking for. But you have to work for it."

I was at the time putting my study, and his class, under a microscope, and that question of what I, what we all, got out of it was central. I concluded this:

"In the reasons [students] come, they are very much like a religious community. Each one comes seeking something missing in their lives and tries to find it through this art. Those who come expecting simply to buy the missing piece tend to be those who quit the soonest. Others come, work intensely, then fall away, perhaps drifting back, perhaps not. The most committed pursue the art, for whatever reason, with whatever dedication they can offer it. For them, the classroom is a temple, a place where philosophy moves and where stillness can be found in motion."

I won't claim this is unique to Lao Ma, or taijiquan, or even a terribly original insight, but gaining that insight is one of the ways he continues to teach, as I incorporate it into my own teaching praxis.

-Mike Bazemore

Almanzo

I remember groggily waking up at Almanzo’s house. As I ventured into the kitchen I was met with Manzo’s bright and loving smile. It was like the sun had come up and was bringing joy and light to all. LaoMa taught me Push Hands, how to grow delicious corn and much more. His laughter, art and beguiling interest in those around him influenced me forever. See you later my friend.

-Deborah Thompson

Heavenly surprises

Once I was riding in the Lao Ma wagon on one of our many short trips through country by-ways. Suddenly he slammed on the brakes and all of the dozens of bells and trinkets hanging in the car made a terrific clanging noise.

He jumped out of the car and went into the middle of the road, stopping to the ground. When I caught up with him, I saw that he was rescuing a box turtle who was crossing the road.

When he set the turtle down safely in the woods on the other side he said, “Y’know, a lot of people are going to be mad when they get to heaven to meet God and find out she’s a turtle.”

-Guhl Lentz

Remembrance

I remember when I first met LaoMa I had come in search of learning Tai Chi. As it turned out, I was not patient enough for Tai Chi at that time, yet LaoMa still remained a teacher and friend to me (despite my lack of studiousness). Over the course of years in knowing LaoMa, I ended up forming a close bond which taught me more than I could have imagined. He taught me about life, connection, family, respect, humor and many other truths. He was like an older brother and a teacher to me.

I feel as if I knew LaoMa once before; he was a grand soul and anyone who has met him can see it. I believe I will see him again, as a spirit such as his is too large to miss. Much love to you dear friend and teacher, I look forward to seeing you again.

-James Pearce

Fantastic Teacher and Fun Human Being

IN the late 90s, when we were living in Chapel Hill, I had the pleasure of studying under Lao Ma. He was unendingly patient and deeply skilled. Most importantly he was cheerful and fun.

He will be missed!

-Avery Lyford

Tribute to Almanzo “Lao Ma” Lamoureux

Another of the Laoyouzi 老油子“old campaigners” has passed into the void. My long time friend, Marine and Taijiquan instructor Almanzo “LaoMa” Lamoureux passed into the void Monday Sept 21st .

LaoMa as he was know to his students and friends began his study of Taijiquan over 50+ years ago. His first introduction to Taijiquan was in New York City when he happened on a class taught by the famous Taijiquan instructor William C. C. Chen. Since that time he studied with a number of extraordinary teachers in America as well as in China who greatly influenced his practice and expanded his understanding of the Chinese internal arts, philosophy and culture.

He earned a Masters degree in Asian Studies, and began a study of Chinese calligraphy, but it was not until living and working in China several years later that he appreciated the close relationship between calligraphy and Chinese martial art. LaoMa lived and taught his arts in North Carolina including Taijiquan and Chinese calligraphy holding classes at his Wuguan the Black Bamboo Pavilion.

One of his favorite subjects was the art of Taiji Walking Cane or Guaigun 枴棍, hooked walking cane. He always delighted audiences at workshops and tournaments with his demonstrations of this interesting weapon. LaoMa wrote a very well received article in my IAM Online Internal Arts Magazine, in the June 2019 edition, on his adventures in China and the study of his walking cane form.

I first met him at the fabled Tai Chi Farm owned by my late good friend Master, Jou, Tsung-Hwa in Warwick New Jersey. LaoMa and I met during the Zhan San Feng Festival at the farm where we were both guest instructors and we hit it off right away, perhaps due to our quirky humor.

That first year we started our transposition ritual. We would exchange name tags and he would introduce himself as John Painter and I would tell people I was Almanzo Lamoureux. It was very confusing for some especially the newcomers and we continued this even at other events through the years.

He never failed to show up and support all of my North Carolina workshops hosted by my Gong Fu brother Dr. Jay Dunbar, another of LaoMa’s great long time friends.

Almanzo and I lost touch for a few years and then began working on a dictionary of Chinese internal art terms featuring original old style / not modern calligraphy. Sadly, this project was not completed although I still think it might be resurrected in the near future. I am told that he did eventually complete an internal arts and Taijiquan dictionary which was privately printed.

In 2019 we reconnected again and started planning a series of articles for IAM Online Internal Arts Magazine, the first of which was published as mentioned in the June edition of that year.

Apparently he had been suffering with an inoperable heart condition the last few years and it began to take its toll on his health. I am told by close friends that he left this plane of existence quietly and peacefully in his sleep last Monday. My heart is heavy at the loss of a good friend, verbal sparring partner and just an all around great teacher. The world is a bit less today without him in it. His students vow to continue on with his teaching and his example of great joy and laughter!

Hope your new home is all you wanted it to be my friend.
Candles are burning in our Wuguan for you this week.
All love….

-John P. Painter 

LaoMa Remembrance

In honoring LaoMa, we need to realize that practicing Taiji can have Very Serious side effects:
1) Parking lot: My husband John practices Dragon Walk. Other customers roll on the ground laughing. Me: "This guy is not with me!"
2) Supermarket checkout line: John practices Grasp Sparrow's Tail. Me: "I do not know this guy!"
3) Kitchen: By the time the dinner is ready, John gives me a Roll-Back and Press and I give him a Push.
4) Front yard: John and I practice two-person stick form. Neighbors: cluch their phones, trying to decide whether they should call the police about domestic disturbance.
Thank you, LaoMa, for adding play, laughter and joy to our lives!

-Wanda Neu

Student Remembrance

My study of taijiquan began with LaoMa on December 9, 2013 because: 1) I felt too old to absorb the punishment of the Kung Fu discipline my son and grandson were studying; 2) a Tai Chi class was available at the same studio; and 3) well, if a billion+ people believe there is something important in the practice of taijiquan, I should at least investigate it...

In LaoMa, I found a soul dedicated to teaching this beautiful art. As a professional teacher myself who has spent almost 50 years observing dozens of teachers devoting their working lives to finding better ways to teach, as LaoMa's student I had the pleasure of experiencing the most passionate and focused commitment to finding better and better ways to communicate to his students the principles and practice of taijiquan.

Rest in peace my friend and mentor! And rest secure in the knowledge that your passion for your art, and your never-ending search for a better way to teach us has left your indelible imprint on us as we practice your Flowers and Walking exercises and Rollercoaster variations in our elusive quest for mastery of Wudangshan Yibailinga Taijiquan.

-Gary Forbach

Lao Ma - A Remarkable man

Many of you may not know who I am. I am a past student and close friend of Lao Ma. Our association and friendship go back over 27 years. He was an inspiration, a teacher, a friend, a man who understood compassion and who cared about others. I was so sad to hear of his passing. I will miss him forever and he is in my presence always. Love you.

-Ritchie Buschow

LaoMa Remembrance

With the passing of Lao Ma, we honor the legacy of his generous transmissions with our ongoing daily practice. Though today is in one sense like any other day, do we not feel a bit more keenly the sense of connection to his very first lesson on “ward off left,” as on this very morning we enact it for the five thousandth time near the beginning of the fourth section, or the sense of upright and confident core, as we stand once more, in “repulse monkeys” in the fifth section? In this way, we say “thank you” today and every day after.

-John Neu

"Beware old men with canes." - Almanzo LaoMa Lamoureux

-Michael McAtee

Beloved forever friend- Lao Ma

Tears clouded my eyes when the unforgettable nice memories I shared with Lao Ma over three decades in both China and America flashed back… I still could not believe that my beloved forever friend- Lao Ma left us! He was such a special old friend who changed my destiny. He will always live in my heart and he will always be my beloved and forever friend. Much love; respect and gratitude to the only and forever Lao Ma…RIP. I love you and miss you, as always.
愛您！謝謝！再見！(Love you! Thank you! See you again!)

-Jinxiu Zhao

Fantastic Teacher and Fun Human Being

IN the late 90s, when we were living in Chapel Hill, I had the pleasure of studying under Lao Ma. He was unendingly patient and deeply skilled. Most importantly he was cheerful and fun.
He will be missed!

-Avery Lyford

Rest in Peace Master Ma.

One of the first people I met at Tidewater Tai Chi in Virginia Beach along with Larry Mann. I posted an old pic of the two us John Painters post. We had several conversations. He shared some of my posts over the years on Tai Chi. He was supportive and always glad to have discussions on topics that question the norm.

-Matthew Stampe