When one thinks of the martial arts, names like the famed Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan will surely come up in a conversation. Playing larger than life characters may look fun, but martial arts is serious business and not one to take too lightly. There is discipline and respect learned with powerful reflexes. Where to find the beginning of that journey here in Windsor, all one has to do is start with Villari’s Martial Arts Center. Nestled within the plaza at 645 Poquonock Ave. (Next to Price Chopper), it has been at two locations within the same building; therefore, it’s essentially the same address. The Windsor location was established in 1995. Villari’s began in 1968, and has since grown to include 120 studios spread throughout Connecticut. Anthony Neri is the Chief Instructor at Villari’s Martial Arts Center in Windsor.

Anthony was born in Rome, NY at Griffiss Air Force Base (now Fort Drum). When he was a toddler, his family relocated to Rhode Island, before settling in Newington, CT., where he went to school. At around the age of eight years old, Anthony was introduced to the world of karate. He had stopped for a time, but got back into it when turning sixteen. Anthony says, “I’m one of the first guys they fast-tracked to black belt. I got my black belt in three years. It normally takes four to five years in the system.” He graduated from Newington High School in 2006. “It was kind of cool. I got my graduation and my black belt.” From there, he tried one semester at Manchester Community College (MCC). “I decided I didn’t like school.” Soon after, Villari’s asked him to run the Enfield location. He had been with the Newington branch. Anthony became a franchise operator at just eighteen years old. Anthony states he had Certified Instructor Training (CIT) while earning his black belt, which helped him get the job. “You go through a three year course/program where you learn everything you need to know about the business. So, they teach you how to teach, principles, rules, how to be an instructor. The third year they teach you the business aspect of it.” In 2010, Villari’s needed someone to run their Windsor location. He agreed to it, as it was closer to home for him (driving from Newington). Anthony now manages operations here in Windsor.

Villari’s offers classes for both adults and children of all ages. Anthony says, “We teach every individual that we teach to help them reach their own personal goals. Realize their full potential and black belt excellence.” He adds in, “We are part of their lives for four to five years and beyond that. We try to enforce our three rules: Respect. Self control. Self discipline.”

Anthony feels very strongly about his adopted town. “I love Windsor. I loved the town since I first came here. It reminded me of Newington where I grew up. It’s a small-knit community where everybody knows everybody.”

He loves eating at Union St. Tavern, Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ, Bart’s Drive-In, Track 139, and 226 The Bean. It doesn’t hurt having Pizza Rama practically next door to Villari’s. Anthony reveals he worked part-time at a location in Newington when he was twenty as a delivery driver to make extra money.

His participation in Windsor ranges from having fundraisers for elementary schools in both Windsor and Windsor Locks where Villari’s has raised over $10,000 for various programs, donating to the Windsor Food Bank, participating in the annual Chili Challenge, and currently is Shad Derby Committee Chairman, along with sponsoring a queen candidate. He had been with the Windsor Jaycees for a couple of years and remains a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

Three words that describe Anthony: Modest. Disciplined. Patient.