Local News

Collectors pay a fond farewell to Mass. Pike tollbooths

Collector Michael Catalano said he was always grateful for the salary and security. Some workers made as much as $80,000 a year with overtime. David L Ryan / The Boston Globe

By The Boston Globe

1 minute to read

Michael Catalano awoke at 4 a.m. Friday for his final shift as a Massachusetts Turnpike toll collector, putting on four layers to face a raw, rainy day.

But even in the waning hours of his 24-year career, Catalano was as chipper as ever, cheerfully calling drivers “boss” and “dear” as they handed him their $1.25. Some said they would miss him, and wished him well. Others just handed him the money, as he smiled and bid them goodbye.

“This is our home away from home,” he said, gesturing to a bare-bones tollbooth at the Allston-Brighton plaza, decorated with only a fan and an old RadioShack stereo.

Advertisement:

Read the complete story at BostonGlobe.com.

Don’t have a Globe subscription? Boston.com readers get a 2-week free trial.

To comment, please create a screen name in your profile

Conversation

This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com