About the Author; Joe “I Gotta Go” Toro
AKA; The Godfather

Here is a little about myself; from 1961 to 1963 I attended Lincoln High School and worked as a Casual Seattle Longshoreman. From 1963 to 1966 I was in the United States Naval Reserve. From 1966 to 1969 I worked as a Casual Seattle Longshoreman. In 1969 I became a Seattle Class "B" Registered Longshoreman in ILWU Local 19. In 1974 I became an "A" Registered Longshoreman in ILWU Local 19. Then in 1990 I became a foreman in ILWU Local 98 where I remained until I retired in 2010.

From the beginning of my career as a longshoreman, I felt if I could bring some humor, some laughter, something other than just the normal do as your told work day, it would make our members working relationships much better! I look back at some of the crazy things; the homemade posters and Christmas cards, the famous softball games between the foreman and Local 19, the Labor Day and July 5th picnics, the Christmas parties, the articles in The Hook, the articles in the Port Paper, etc. 

Have I succeeded? I think so!! I've enjoyed giving; I hope you've enjoyed what I gave!!! 

With the help of Ronald Magden, I have compiled almost 20 years of writings from The Hook and Docktalk from the 1970's and 1980's and put them together in this book for you to enjoy!