I grew up in the quiet town of Miller Place, on Long Island, New York. My name, a combination of my grandfather’s and one of his grandfather's patrons—actor Errol Flynn—was more than just a tribute; it was a bond to a legacy he would come to cherish.

My childhood home was a 1740 Colonial, nestled on a sprawling 42-acre estate that had been purchased by my grandfather, Tony, and Tony’s first wife, Angelica, in 1924. The estate, a summer retreat for the couple, extended to a bluff overlooking the serene Long Island Sound. It was here, in the 1950s, that Tony built a summer home, where I would spent countless days exploring, absorbing the beauty of nature, and creating memories that would last a lifetime.

My childhood was marked by a unique blend of rural peace and the bustling energy of New York City. I frequently made trips to Manhattan to visit grandfather’s restaurant, Tony’s and Tony’s Wife, both staples of the city’s dining scene. These trips introduced him to a different world—a world of clinking glasses, lively conversation, and the intoxicating pace of city life. It was a life that balanced quiet moments by the Sound with the vibrant pulse of the city.

Tony, sadly passed away in 1979 when I was just eight years old. Though our time together was brief, the imprint Tony left on me was profound. To this day, Tony remains one of the most powerful influences in my life, his memory etched in my mind forever.