Tony Perez was born Jose Anthony Perez of Puerto Rican/Pilipino descent. He grew up San Diego, Virginia, and in Manhattan on the West Side of New York City; 68th street to be exact. Before being torn down his neighborhood was immortalized in the movie West Side Story. His father proudly served in the United States Navy during WWII. Tony paints and writes poetry, some of which has been published. He has been married to his wonderful wife, Marie Gagne since August 30, 1961. They have a beautiful daughter named Linda Marie Lawrence.