Kids & Family
Joshua Savyon Brought 'Goodness and Innocence' to Classes
9-year-old, killed by his father in Manchester Sunday, was a black belt at Bedford martial arts studio.
Last Sunday, in what can only be described as a horrific act of senseless violence, 9-year-old Amherst resident Joshua Savyon was killed in a murder/suicide during a supervised visit with his father at the YWCA in Manchester.
While many area towns were shaken by the news, especially the American Taekwondo Academy Association (ATA) Martial Arts studio, where Savyon was a black belt.
The owners and instructors at ATA declined an interview with Patch, citing privacy and support for Joshua Savyon's mother.
Permission was granted, however, to print the following statement, which was written by Mark Harbinson, owner of chief instructor at ATA, and posted to the ATA of Southern NH homepage:
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we must acknowledge the loss of one of our young black belts. Joshua Savyon was recently taken from us in a horrific, senseless tragedy. We have no words to describe the sadness and sense of loss that his absence will bring, both now and long into the future.
Josh was one of the most positive little boys ever to take a class. In the four years that he has been at our school, he could always be counted on to come in with a smile on his face. His happy demeanor and desire to learn new things made him the ideal student. His hard work and passion for taekwondo made all of our jobs as instructors quite easy. Even the simplest new move or skill that he was able to master would make him so excited, and that excitement became contagious. He was a true joy to watch, because he represented all the goodness and innocence of a young boy growing into a future leader.
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We will never forget Josh. He was not just a student, but a member of our family. He has impacted our lives immensely, and we will forever be richer for having known him.
May God bless him and keep him, and bestow peace upon the hearts of his family and friends.
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