Carol Thomas Rugnetta was interviewed for the Port of Los Angeles Centennial Oral History Project. Born in 1941 in Los Angeles, Rugnetta grew up in San Pedro, attending local schools and Harbor College. The interview delves into Rugnetta’s childhood memories of San Pedro and her family’s involvement in the local business and fishing communities. Rugnetta discusses her family’s businesses, notably her aunt Zorka’s restaurant and grocery store on Terminal Island, where she worked during her teenage years. Her family was central to the community, with her father running fueling stations and a bar, catering to local fishermen and longshoremen. Rugnetta recalls the strong Yugoslavian heritage of her family, highlighting her aunt’s role as a matriarch who raised her siblings after they were orphaned and built a successful business from humble beginnings. The conversation also touches on the broader community dynamics of San Pedro, including the economic importance of the fishing and cannery industries. Rugnetta offers insights into the family’s connection with political figures, particularly her uncle, Vincent Thomas, a longtime assemblyman known for his work in supporting the local community and his efforts to build the Vincent Thomas Bridge, a key infrastructure project. Rugnetta describes Thomas as a visionary who was deeply committed to his constituents and instrumental in various local projects, including education and labor advocacy. Throughout the interview, Rugnetta reflects on the changes in San Pedro over the years, including the decline of the fishing industry and the challenges faced by the local community.