Joe Gomes' parents came to the United States from Portugal in the early 1900s, arriving first in New York, making their way to San Jose, California, and then settling in San Pablo, where Mr.Gomes resides currently. Mr. Gomes is 90 years old at the time of this interview, and a leader in his community. He is past director of the San Pablo Holy Ghost Association, past state president of the Luso-American Fraternal Federation, and currently sits on the City Council of San Pablo. In this interview, Mr. Gomes chronicles his family background, his years growing up in San Pablo, the Portuguese community in San Pablo, the shift to and then away from wartime work during his years at American Standard, working in the shipyards, changing gender roles during wartime work, raising a family, and his work on the City of San Pablo City Council. The interview offers insight into immigrant identity and experience, a changing San Pablo, and the Bay Area home front during WWII.