Ray Falk was interviewed for the Port of Los Angeles Centennial Oral History Project. He was born on September 23, 1922, on Terminal Island (formerly East San Pedro). Falk's grandfather, a German-born Swede, was an entrepreneurial ship captain who first arrived in San Pedro in 1877. He established a business in the area, including the Pepper Tree Saloon, and invested in property and ships, significantly contributing to the port's early maritime activities. Ray Falk recounts his early life on Terminal Island, where his father operated a fishing boat with a Japanese crew. Living in a predominantly Japanese community, Falk's childhood was marked by cultural integration and the supportive environment of Terminal Island's close-knit neighborhoods. He vividly describes the Japanese-style stores and communal activities, such as Flag Boy's Day and fish drying practices. Falk shares anecdotes about his schooling and family life, highlighting the transition from the Japanese community to a more diverse neighborhood on Terminal Island. He also reminisces about the technological advancements and community activities of his youth, including the excitement of the Pan American Clipper flights and his aspirations to become a radio operator. Falk provides a detailed account of the local maritime history, including his grandfather's ship operations, the fishing industry, and the development of the Los Angeles Harbor. He also touches on his involvement with the Cabrillo Beach Polar Bear Club, a group dedicated to ocean swimming and community service, which he helped formalize and revitalize in the late 1970s.