Rest in Peace, Chick Gavitt

Friends, family and the greater South Kingstown and Narragansett community are in mourning after Kyoshi Charles “Chick” Gavitt, the highly-respected owner of Ichiban Karate and Kickbox, has died.

He was 48.

“Our community has suffered the loss of one of our great business owners and friend, Chick Gavitt,” a post on the Wakefield Downtown Merchants Association’s Facebook page said. “He has contributed so much to our town and to the lives of all the people he taught. He will be greatly missed. Our heartfelt sympathies to his family and to his Ichiban Karate and Kickbox family.

Gavitt was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2013.

Along with holding a 7th degree Black Belt in Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Shidokan Karate, he was a tireless volunteer, community leader and inspiration for countless people with whom he came in contact.

His studio celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2011 and over the years he used his position in the community to show what it meant to be a pillar, supporting countless causes, rallying fellow merchants to improve downtown Wakefield and showing people their true, strong, inner selves.

He also served as president of SK CARES, a volunteer organization that supports local schools.

Gavitt leaves behind his partner, Victoria and two children.

He also leaves behind thousands of students whose lives he touched in ways that transcended the dojo.

“Thank you Kyoshi Chick Gavitt,” said Kelli Fay-Wolfe. “You have touched so many lives and while your body rests, your spirit will forever live in all you have loved and inspired. It is our turn to be Kyoshi Strong. God Bless.

A fundraiser at YouCaring.com was established to help the family pay some of the medical bills that accumulated during Gavitt’s battle.

A video produced by Grant Maloy Smith for the 20th anniversary of Ichiban Karate Studio is below.

For a complete obituary, click HERE.