About Gary
From Public Housing to Colonel: A Life of Service
Married with 2 children. A nurse, a soldier, and a neighbor who understands the struggles working families face every day.
Gary during his 29 years of U.S. Army service
"I have worked hard my entire adult life, often working 2-3 jobs to provide for my family. I am concerned that the nation I have served is heading in the wrong direction. This is the reason I am seeking to serve again."
-- Gary Grossi, Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired)
Gary's Story
Growing up poor in the Corcoran Park Housing Project, Gary saw firsthand the effects of fostered dependence and institutionalized generational poverty. He and his neighbors proudly called themselves Projectiles -- their goal was to escape, breaking the cycle of poverty and dependency.
When he registered as a Republican at 18, his mom said, "What are you doing? You'll never get a job." Thus began his life as a political refugee from the "People's Republic of Cambridge."
Early Life
Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Born and raised in Corcoran Park Housing Project
- Learned the importance of intact families and community stability
- Graduated Cambridge High and Latin, 1977
- Managed restaurants in Harvard Square
- Worked in mental health at Metropolitan State Hospital
Overcoming Adversity
A Life-Changing Challenge
- 1982: Diagnosed with a tumor, requiring significant surgery
- Non-weight-bearing for 1 year; in a cast for 2 years
- Used adversity as motivation to return to school
- Met and married Katrina Buck in 1987
- Graduated UMass Boston with a Degree in Nursing
Military Service
29 Years U.S. Army & Army Reserve
- 1990-1995: Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Clinical Team Leader (1st Gulf War, Somalia)
- 1995-2000: 324th Combat Support Hospital, Mobilization Officer (Bosnia)
- 2000-2005: 309th Combat Support Hospital, Mobilization Officer
- 2006-2007: 399th CSH, Deployed to Mosul & Al Asad, Iraq
- 2007-2019: 399th CSH, Deputy Commander Nursing Services (COL)
Civilian Career
Serving Veterans at the VA
- 1995-2000: West Palm Beach VA Medical Center (Psychiatry) -- helped open new facility, onboarded 2,000 staff
- 2000-2022: Bedford VA Hospital, Outpatient Substance Abuse & Psychiatry
- Choate Hospital, Woburn: Community-based substance abuse & psychiatric care
Current Roles
- Vice Chair, Acton Republican Town Committee
- Board of Directors, Iron Works Farm