A. G. D’Agnese was raised in Rockaway Beach, New York. He was a member of the Saint Camillus Band for twelve years. He graduated from Brooklyn Prep in 1972 and from Baruch College CUNY in 1977 where he lettered in fencing for four years.
A sales professional for most of his career, he eventually became a sales trainer, attending many different training seminars and classes. Many of the lessons include in 'Grandpa's Journey' were inspired by or derived from these seminars.
In 2002 he purchased the Bagel Tree Café in Roseburg, Oregon. He continues to play the trumpet as a hobby and plays Taps for veterans’ funerals. An active member of the Roseburg Lions Club, he also teaches fencing at the YMCA as a volunteer, swims daily, and enjoys football and hunting when in season.