Tony DiBernardo
Port of Los Angeles Centennial Oral History Project
The Port of Los Angeles celebrated its Centennial on December 9, 2007. As part of the Port of Los Angeles Centennial Oral History Project, these interviews feature various members of the Los Angeles Harbor Area community who were interviewed in 2007 to document different eras in Port history.
National Capital Contracting
Tony DiBernardo was born in 1928 on the island of Ischia, located off the coast of Naples, Italy. Tony's father, born in 1888, was a fisherman who supported his family by fishing off the coast of Africa. In November 1938, Tony, along with his mother and two older sisters, joined his father in San Pedro, California. Settling in San Pedro, Tony began his education at Cabrillo Avenue School, where he learned English in a class designed for new immigrants. Tony worked shining shoes at a local barbershop and later in a shoe repair shop and a produce market. During World War II, Tony and his family experienced restrictions such as curfews. In 1951, he was drafted into the Korean War, serving in an artillery unit. Upon returning, Tony worked as a truck driver before joining Todd Shipyards in 1957, where he spent his career until retirement.
Scope and Content Note
The oral history interview with Tony DiBernardo, conducted as part of the Port of Los Angeles Centennial Oral History Project, covers Tony's life from his early years in Ischia, Italy, through his immigration to the United States, and his subsequent life in San Pedro, California. Tony describes his childhood in Ischia, detailing the primitive living conditions and his father's work as a fisherman. Tony provides a vivid account of his family's immigration journey in 1938 aboard the Rex, highlighting the cultural and technological differences he encountered upon arrival in the United States. Tony discusses his educational experiences at Cabrillo Avenue School, where he overcame language barriers and adapted to a new environment. He discusses his early work life, including his time shining shoes and working in a shoe repair shop and a produce market. During World War II, Tony's family faced restrictions due to their non-citizen status, which he describes in detail. His military service in the Korean War is recounted, focusing on his experiences and the impact on his life. The interview also covers his career at Todd Shipyards, where he began as a helper and advanced through various roles, contributing to significant shipbuilding projects, including the conversion of cargo ships to container ships. Throughout the interview, Tony reflects on the changes in San Pedro over the decades, the decline of the shipbuilding industry, and his sentiments towards the community and its development.
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