Vito Giacalone
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
Vito Giacalone was interviewed for the Port of Los Angeles Centennial Oral History Project. Vito Giacalone was born in 1922 in San Diego, California, into a family deeply involved in the fishing industry. His father, originally from Palermo, Sicily, was a pioneer in the tuna fishing industry in the United States. The interview begins with Giacalone recounting his father's journey from Sicily to San Diego in 1914 and his subsequent career as a fisherman. Giacalone shares memories of his childhood, including a vivid story from when he was seven years old and first visited San Pedro. He recalls docking at the old fish docks, the bustling commercial district, and a memorable incident involving a dropped chocolate bar. Giacalone moved to San Pedro in 1947 to fish for his wife's uncle on a sardine boat. He describes the thriving sardine industry at the time, with 135 purse seiners operating out of San Pedro. However, as the industry declined, Giacalone transitioned to selling fish door-to-door. He built a successful business, Vic's Seafood, becoming well-known for his fresh fish, innovative presentation, and engaging personality. His truck, set up like a mobile fish market, was a familiar sight in neighborhoods from San Pedro to Fontana. Throughout the interview, Giacalone reflects on the challenges and changes in the fishing industry, including the impact of imported seafood and increasing regulations. He discusses the camaraderie among fishermen and the importance of community support. Giacalone also shares personal anecdotes, such as his father's near-fatal boat explosion and his own experiences during World War II.
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