Larry O'Toole

Larry O’Toole moved to Boston, Massachusetts, from Ireland with his family when he was 15. He attended Northeastern University, where he developed a passion for rowing. Upon graduation, he pursued a career in engineering. His work experiences in manufacturing led him to realize he wanted to start his own business.

Larry founded Gentle Giant with a single business plan. “Only hire nice people with winning personalities and a strong work ethic, who are intelligent, physically fit, and have a passion for service.” In other words, hire the kind of people you would relish spending a long, hard day working with. He likes to say that it was an experiment. Would that alone lead to success? It turns out that it did.

Larry and his wife, Joan, live in Andover, Massachusetts, with their Irish Water Spaniel Brogie, who appreciates swimming in the ponds of Harold Parker State Forest.