Brandon Grossi Born April 10, 1985, in Healdsburg, CA. Brandon lived his entire life with his family in their Santa Rosa home. From an early age, he was very active in sports. He liked baseball and soccer but ice hockey was his real love. He played at the Redwood Empire Ice Arena on the Santa Rosa Flyers hockey team from the age of 10 until he was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 16. Brandon was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a bone cancer that typically affects children and young adults. At 16 Brandon chose to have his left leg amputated with the hope of eradicating the disease, along with chemotherapy. In no time Brandon was back on his feet with the help of an artificial leg. But he really dreamed of playing hockey again. The family learned of a microprocessor knee that could make his dream a reality. But Gary Grossi’s insurance would not pay for that type of knee. With the help of Hudson Aberlin who’s son Hudson Aberlin Jr. died of the same cancer in 2000. Hudson helped organize a fund raiser, bring musicians Tommy Thomsen and Norton Buffalo and raised $28,000. Fellow students at Piner High School (where he graduated in 2003) also supported Brandon with fund-raisers. With the new prosthesis, Brandon was able to skate but was unable to play hockey. In 2002 after Brandon finished treatment for the cancer, his father and grandfather bought him a 67 Chevy Malibu. He loved this car and Make-a-Wish Foundation helped him get tires, wheels, stereo and a flame paint job. Mark Powers of MP Motor Sports started teaching him about hotrods and how to work on his own car. Being very competitive and having a great spirit, he shifted gears and took up another sport, drag racing. With the help of again Hudson Aberlin and Mark Powers, he competed in the High School Division 7 for Team Infineon at Infineon Raceway and later moving to the Street Class. Racing Hudson’s specially equipped Chevy Chevelle and with Mark giving him advise about racing. Brandon entered his 67 Malibu in the 2004 Peggy Sue’s All-American Cruise and worked with Mark at the Show & Shine and Cruise, taking turns cruising. In March 2005 Brandon was told the cancer had returned and would need to go through chemotherapy treatment again. He had the doctor schedule his treatment so he would be completed with it before the show in June. Brandon was directing traffic at the Cruise-in and was with Mark parking cars at the Chili Cook Off. On Saturday he was enjoying all the beautiful hotrods and then the cruise that night. Sunday morning Brandon stayed home saying he was tried and did not fell good. On June 21, 2005 surrounded by large numbers of family and friends Brandon peacefully passed away from complications from the treatment. “He got to do what he loved most in that last week of his life,” said his mother. Brandon’s 67 Malibu will be in the show and the cruise this year along with his sister Mandy and her 66 Mustang. “When we cruise down 4th St. we will be thinking of him,” said his Dad, who will be driving Brandon’s car. |
