Larry F. Gagnon grew up in a foster home for the first 17 years of his life. In 1963, at the age of 17, Larry Gagnon left his foster home, joined the US Air Force and was stationed in Germany. After spending 4 years in the Air Force Larry Gagnon was given an honorable discharge. His years in foster care shaped the man Larry Gagnon became and as a tribute to his foster mother, Larry Gagnon took her surname Giordano and became Larry F. Giordano!
While stationed in Germany in 1963, Hanshi Giordano started his formal karate training under a German national named Norbet Faye. Faye taught traditional Shotokan Karate. In 1970, Hanshi Giordano began the study of Kyokushin Karate, which became the style of Karate Hanshi Giordano continues to teach to this day. His first Kyokushin instructor was Sensei Steve Senne of Burbank, California whom Hanshi still has contact with in 2003.
Hanshi Giordano then trained with Karate legend, Sensei Donald I. Buck 8th Dan of San Francisco, CA. Sensei Buck’s school (School of the Tiger) was the USA affiliate of the Kyokushin Organization founded by Mas Oyama, of Japa
Hanshi Giordano received his 1st Dan in Kyokushin from Sensei Senne. In 1976 it was his extreme honor to receive his 2nd Dan directly from Mas Oyama. In the same ceremony in Japan, Hanshi also received his IKO Branch Chief certificate. Sensei Buck awarded Hanshi his 6th Dan in January of 1992 for his many years of dedication to the art of Karate. In April of 2000, Hanshi Tezuka of Japan awarded Hanshi Giordano his current rank of 7th Dan.
Over the years, Hanshi traveled to Japan on five separate occasions to train with Mas Oyama. In 1990 Sensei Buck sent Hanshi Giordano to Japan to represent the USA at the IKO Branch Chiefs meeting. During this time he continued his personal relationship with Mas Oyama.
Hanshi Giordano founded the Methuen Karate Organization (School of the Rooster) in 1968 in his apartment. Now known as The Giordano Family Methuen Karate Organization, Hanshi Giordano runs the school with his sons Sensei’s Stephen R. and Lonnie F. Giordano. Since the death of both of his teachers, Mas Oyama & Sensei Buck, Hanshi has adapted his Karate style. Teaching traditional Kyokushin Karate and incorporating Aikido and grappling techniques, Hanshi calls this style Giordano Family American Kyokushin.
Hanshi was a Police Officer in Methuen for 22 years and was elected as a State Representative. Governor Weld appointed Hanshi Giordano to Commissioner of Public Safety for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1992. Hanshi Giordano is also a boxing judge for the Commonwealth. Retired from the police force and public life he now dedicates all his energies to teaching Karate. In addition to his main school, Hanshi now runs satellite schools in many grade schools and neighborhood programs. He is also actively involved in self-defense training for women.
In addition to the joy Hanshi Giordano receives as he teaches karate, other organizations have recognized his efforts over the years. In 1992 he was inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame, receiving his Diamond Life Achievement award. In 1993 The Methuen Karate Association received the Outstanding School of the Year award. In 2001 Hanshi was inducted into the International Hall of Fame for World Head Sokeship Council as Master Instructor of the Year. In July of 2003 Hanshi Giordano was inducted into The Hawaiian International Martial Arts Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Las Vegas.